New Zealand cricket legend Sir Richard Hadlee has undergone a successful surgery for bowel cancer and recovering very well at present. Recently, his wife Lady Dianne Hadlee has confirmed the news with a statement on Wednesday.
The Kiwi great had discovered the bowel cancer in the last month during a routine check-up. Recently, the 66-year-old had a successful operation to remove a tumour and it results in an excellent recovery.
In the statement, Mrs Hadlee said, “Last month, Richard had a routine, 3-year colonoscopy, and we discovered that he has bowel cancer. He has since had an operation to remove the tumour. This operation went extremely well and he has made an excellent recovery from surgery.”
She further added that the chemotherapy process will begin shortly and will run for a few months.
Dianne said, “As a safeguard, further treatment in the form of chemotherapy will commence shortly and last for a few months. It is expected that, in time, he will have a full recovery.”
She also revealed that why they released the statement as they want to prevent the inevitable speculations and incorrect rumours.
Mrs Hadlee added, “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.”
Previously, Hadlee has suffered from the Wolff–Parkinson–White Syndrome, a disorder that caused his heart to beat irregularly. He underwent an open heart surgery and still follows medication for that.
Hadlee has been considered as one of the greatest cricketers in the world. Having an international career from 1973 to 1990, he was one of the great fast bowlers as well as all-rounders. Hadlee played 86 Tests and 115 ODIs where he took a total of 589 wickets and also scored a total of 4,875 runs.
The right-arm pacer was the first bowler to claim 400 Test wickets. Moreover, he was also the first player to complete 1,000 runs as well as 100 wickets in ODI career.
