New Zealand cricketing legend Richard Hadlee is suffering from bowel cancer and has undergone a surgery. He is expected to make a full recovery, his wife Dianne said on Wednesday.
“Last month, Richard had a routine, three-year colonoscopy, and we discovered that he has bowel cancer,” she said in a statement.
“He has since had an operation to remove the tumour. This operation went extremely well and he has made an excellent recovery from surgery.
“I would also request people’s understanding and acceptance of our request for privacy while we go through the next few months, both for ourselves and for the extended Hadlee family,” he added.
She said that the statement was made so that the people don’t start to speculate.
“Our reasons for making this statement are a desire to be transparent, and to prevent the inevitable speculation and incorrect rumours.
“I would also request people’s understanding and acceptance of our request for privacy while we go through the next few months, both for ourselves and for the extended Hadlee family.”
Hadlee was the first bowler to take 400 Test wickets. He played 86 tests picking up 431 wickets at an average of 22.29. The 66-years-old was a fierce run scorer and has 3,124 runs in test matches with 2 centuries and 15 half-centuries. He retired from International cricket in 1990.
