Cricket: Sir Richard Hadlee tips Australia as slight favourites

Sir Richard Hadlee. Photo / Mark Mitchell

New Zealand's greatest cricketer Richard Hadlee has Australia slight favourites for the first test starting in Brisbane tomorrow.

That said, he has high praise for the current New Zealand team, their skills and the way they play the game.

Speaking on a steamy morning at the scene of his greatest test triumph 30 years ago, Hadlee backs the approach of Brendon McCullum and his team.

''Test cricket particularly needs some sort of revival so the brand and style of the game we are playing under Brendon McCullum - and the whole team and management have bought into the way they're playing - it's exciting, attacking, aggressive and pro-active," Hadlee said.

He likes the way McCullum sets his fields and rotates his bowlers.

''It's high risk but has great rewards. This is an exciting side, and it's worth watching them go about their business."

Hadlee, who took 431 wickets in a glittering career, is impressed by the individual and collective skills of the team.

''They have wonderful skill sets, are very fit, well prepared, athletic in the field.

''The bowlers are getting wickets and knocking sides over, we have quality batsmen averaging 40-45 and that hasn't really been seen in the history of our game, having averages and strike rates up as good as they are at the moment.

''That suggests this is a very efficient side."

All that said, Hadlee points to home advantage as giving Australia a slight edge.
''They've got some matchwinners and destructive players," he said.

''If David Warner gets away he can take the game away from New Zealand. If he's out for not many, then it opens the door.

''One or two Australian new boys are still trying to prove themselves. McCullum is going to apply tremendous pressure on (Joe) Burns, (Usman( Khawaja and (Adam) Voges, with pretty attacking fields, get his bowlers to respond and not give them anything."

Australia's bowling attack has more experience but ''we have two very good bowlers (Trent Boult and Tim Southee), no question about that."

Hadlee took 15 wickets to lead New Zealand to a stunning innings and 41-run win over Australia at the Gabba in 1985.

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