Sir Richard Hadlee is a former New Zealand cricketer, widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers in the history of the sport. Born on July 3, 1951, in St Albans, Christchurch, he made his international debut in 1973. Over his career, he took 431 wickets in Test matches, making him the first bowler to reach this milestone. Hadlee was known for his exceptional skill, pace, and ability to swing the ball. He played a crucial role in New Zealand's cricketing success during the 1980s and was instrumental in their first Test series win against England. In recognition of his contributions, he was knighted in 1990.