New Zealand cricket mourns Hadlee

We deeply appreciate the public support we have received in recent weeks Sir Richard Hadlee

New Zealand cricket is mourning the death of Walter Hadlee, who has died in Christchurch at the age of 91.

Hadlee won 11 Test caps and later served as national team manager, selector and chairman and president of the country's cricket board.

Three of his five sons, Barry, Dayle and Richard, also played Test cricket.

"Walter was very much the patriarch of New Zealand Cricket and made an enormous lifetime contribution," said current NZC chairman Sir John Anderson.

A family funeral will take place next week, followed by a memorial service at Christchurch Boys High School on 14 October.

Hadlee scored more than 7,500 first-class runs during his playing career at an average of 40, but the highlight was an innings of 116 against England at Chrischurch in March 1947, one of eight Tests in which he captained the team.

The 1949 side which toured England and drew the Test series 0-0, also including Martin Donnelly and Bert Sutcliffe and John Reid, is regarded as one of the best ever to take the field for New Zealand

He was awarded an OBE in 1950 and was honoured again in 1978 when he became a CBE.

And he enjoyed another proud moment in 1990 when his son, Richard, was knighted during his final Test series for his services to cricket.

Another former New Zealand captain, Martin Crowe, said Hadlee would be greatly missed.

He continued: "Walter was a man I had the utmost respect and admiration for. He was always willing and happy to sit down and chat about the game.

"Walter's story-telling of his playing days and his team-mates was superb. His recollection of tours back some 70 years ago was quite astonishing."

NZC chief executive Martin Snedden also joined in the tributes, adding: "Walter took an active interest in cricket right up until his death and will be greatly missed by NZC's Board, management, staff and the wider New Zealand cricket community."