Sir Richard Hadlee expected to make full recovery after surgery for bowel cancer
By AP Sport
Last Updated: 13/06/18 12:03am
New Zealand cricket great Sir Richard Hadlee has undergone surgery for bowel cancer.
The illness was diagnosed last month when the 66-year-old had a routine colonoscopy. A tumour was discovered which has since been removed and Hadlee is expected to make a full recovery.
However, he will undergo chemotherapy for the next few months to make sure the cancer does not return, his wife Dianne Hadlee said.
"Our reasons for making this statement are a desire to be transparent, and to prevent the inevitable speculation and incorrect rumors," Lady Dianne said.
"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, regarded as one of the best all-rounders of all time, took 431 wickets and scored 3,124 runs in an 86-Test career. He was the first player to reach the 400-wicket mark.
