5 greatest all-rounders of all time

#4 Richard Hadlee

Hadlee is still regarded as the best Kiwi cricketer

Hadlee is easily known as New Zealand's best cricketer of all time. He is responsible for effectively elevating New Zealand cricket from being an amateurish outfit to a competitive international cricket team. It's almost unimaginable how New Zealand would have fared without Hadlee in its line-up. He was primarily known for his fearsome bowling, at first with a longer and later with a much-shortened run-up.

His record of 431 Test wickets at an average of 22.29 doesn't even begin to accurately reflect his value to his team. In a career filled with one outstanding performance after another, two particular series' flash in our minds when we think of Richard Hadlee. The first was against India when at the age of 37, Hadlee terrorized the Indian batsmen on a placid Wankhede pitch to lead New Zealand to a historic win in the sub-continent.

The second was against Australia, in 1985-86, when he willed New Zealand to a 2-1 and 1-0 win over the powerful Aussies in back to back series' in Australia and New Zealand. Almost three decades after his retirement, Hadlee's impact on New Zealand cricket remains unsurpassed. He was truly one of the greatest all-rounders in an era filled with other great all-rounders.