A bonafide all-rounder can make or break the team’s chances in a cricket game. The distinct advantage possessed by such multi-dimensional cricketers may be derived from their ability to transition their momentum from one department to another in a seamless manner.
The New Zealand cricket team has been fortunate to be bestowed with quality all-rounders in their cricketing history. Here are some of the best Test all-rounders of New Zealand:
Sir Richard Hadlee
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Sir Richard Hadlee is the only cricketer to be honoured with knighthood while still playing international cricket which stands as testimony to his greatness. Among his contemporaries, he was considered way superior to Sir Ian Botham, Kapil Dev and Imran Khan. In his Test career, he achieved 36 five-wicket hauls. He took 431 wickets in his Test career and became the first bowler to reach 400 Test wickets, a monumental milestone of that time. As a batter, Hadlee amassed over 3000 Test runs at a decent batting average of 27.16, including two hundreds.
John Reid
A fantastic all-rounder of this time, the Kiwi was multi-talented on the field with both his batting and bowling abilities as well as a great fielding dexterity. He was the reserve wicket keeper on the 1949 tour of England and kept wickets in several matches including the final Test. Reid played 58 Test matches in his career and amassed 3428 runs in 108 innings at a decent average of 33.28. His Test campaign included six tons and 22 fifties. As far as his bowling is concerned, Reid took 85 Test wickets in 58 matches and 72 bowling at an impeccable economy of 2.20.
Chris Cairns
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Despite an international career frequently marred by ailments, Chris Cairns managed to establish himself as an accomplished all-rounder in the history of cricket. His batting abilities helped New Zealand in clutch situations and powered them to victory. He collected 3320 Test runs in 104 innings at an average of 33.53. He accumulated 5 tons and 22 fifties. Cairns took 218 scalps in 104 innings at a commendable economy of 3.28 to become one of the best Test all-rounders from New Zealand.
Daniel Vettori
Daniel Vettori has more Test wickets than bowling greats Wasim Akram and Rangana Herath among left-arm bowlers. He took 362 wickets in 113 matches, with an average of 34.36. One of the finest spinners in the history of cricket, Vettori worked hard on his batting skills. He gathered 4531 runs from 174 innings, his Test career averaging at a decent 30.00. His Test campaign included six hundreds and 23 half centuries.
Also Read: Unsung Heroes of New Zealand Cricket
Jacob Oram
Jacob Oram’s injury-prone cricketing career limited him to only 33 Test appearances. He accumulated 1780 runs in 59 innings at an average of 36.32 in his Test career that included five centuries and six half-centuries. His medium-pace attack allowed him to get breakthroughs at crucial times turning the game around for the Kiwis. He took 60 Test wickets in 55 innings at an incredible economy of 2.39.
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