Rhythm and Swing: Richard Hadlee

by Richard Hadlee

Rhythm and An Autobiography

Genres: Sports, Memoir, Nonfiction, Autobiography

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Jonathan Corfe · Rating 3 out of 5]

If it were at all possible, I would have Richard Hadlee's bowling action framed as a national treasure. As a study in motion there is little that comes close to its fluidity and style (yeah, probably dolphins leaping and other trite eco-nonsense, whatever).
Then there's the man in this book. It was an interesting insight into one of the great all-rounders of cricket history. He comes across as deeply methodical, a perfectionist, willing to offer, but seldom take criticism. He was sometimes thought of as a mustachioed cricketing automaton, but he was deeply sensitive to real or perceived sleights but he also had a relentless drive and cared deeply for the results of his teams.

Some of Hadlee's opinions in this book haven't weathered well: believing banning tobacco advertising would be the death knell for international cricket; thinking that female umpires should not stand in mens' games; saying that the West Indies, Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka were the black countries of international cricket. Times have changed, as have prevailing attitudes. I would imagine that Sir Richard probably now has a few different opinions... I would hope so.
He also cheerfully admits that his newspaper columns were largely ghost-written (which loses a slew of points in my book). One journalist said, quite rightly, that for a newspaper columnist he was an excellent fast-bowler. After reading this I'd still rather have a beer with Jeremy Coney.

[Richard Warlow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found it a hard book to get into, thought the first chapter wasn't that well written.
But after the first chapter, it just kept getting better so worth the effort, I like how the chapters were split up with different themes.

[Matty Mullet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written in Hadlee's hay day.