Iconic all-rounder Sir Richard Hadlee will launch the ICC centenary medal on Friday during New Zealand's Catch the Spirit week, which will be celebrated during the third Test between New Zealand and India at Basin Reserve in Wellington.
Sir Richard will present medals to 10 Wellington-based volunteers during the lunch interval on the first day of the third Test as it forms part of a total of 50 individuals across the country from nominations made to New Zealand Cricket, with those medals a recognition of their hard work on behalf of the game.
The medals are an expression of gratitude for the unsung work of those volunteers who ensure cricket is a great sport with a great spirit.
On a day of awards, Sir Richard will also receive his ICC Cricket Hall of Fame cap from ICC president David Morgan. The ceremonies are the highlight of the ICC's Catch the Spirit week in the country, aimed at promoting the organisation's centenary celebrations.
The presentation to be made by Sir Richard is the first of a series of similar ceremonies that will take place around the world marking the contributions of individuals who ensure cricket is a strong sport growing stronger.
The ICC has struck 1000 medals and asked all 104 of its members to use them to recognise the contribution of volunteers to the sport's ever-increasing popularity.
Commenting on the launch of the ICC centenary medal, Morgan said: "The medals are a reflection that cricket, like all other sports, could not survive without the selfless acts on behalf of the game by countless volunteers -- coaches, curators, scorers, drivers, security personnel and the such.
"The volunteers are instrumental in preserving cricket's special values as well as sustaining and developing the game at the grassroots and nurturing the stars of the future."
On Friday, Sir Richard will also become the first New Zealand player to be formally inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame when he receives a commemorative cap to mark the occasion.
Hadlee, the son of former New Zealand captain Walter and brother of Dayle and Barry, is the only New Zealander in the initial intake of 55 players in the Hall of Fame, a joint venture between the ICC and the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA).
Hadlee is regarded as one of the greatest exponents of the new ball. A master of conventional swing bowling, he was also one of the four outstanding all-rounders of his time along with Imran Khan of Pakistan, England's Ian Botham and Kapil Dev of India.
Born in Christchurch on July 3, 1951, Hadlee became New Zealand's 126th Test player when he made his debut against Pakistan in February 1973. And when he retired in July 1990 after playing in 86 Tests, he had already taken 431 wickets (at the time the world record) at an average of 22.29, including five wickets in an innings 36 times and 10 wickets in a match on nine occasions. He also scored 3,124 runs, including two centuries and 15 half-centuries.
Hadlee was also a member of the New Zealand team that played its first-ever ODI in February 1973. New Zealand beat Pakistan by 22 runs in that historic match in Christchurch, with Dale (4-34) outshining his younger brother who finished with figures of 5-0-37-0. Hadlee went on to play 115 ODIs in which he took 158 wickets and scored 1,751 runs.
Hadlee also played first-class cricket for Canterbury, Nottinghamshire and Tasmania, and captured 1,490 wickets in 342 matches at an average of 18.11, including five wickets in an innings 102 times and 10 wickets in a match 18 times. He also scored 12,052 runs at an average of 31.71, including 14 centuries and 59 half-centuries.
Hadlee was declared New Zealand's Sportsman of the Year in 1980 and 1986, New Zealand's Sportsperson for the last 25 Years in 1987 (shared with runner John Walker) before being adjudged New Zealand's Sportsperson of the Decade in 1987. He was Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1982.
Hadlee was appointed Member of British Empire (MBE) in 1981 and knighted in 1990 for his services to cricket.
Other ICC Cricket Hall of Famers to have received their caps so far in 2009 are ex-Australia wicketkeeper Rodney Marsh, 11 former West Indies players or their family members or representatives -- batting greats Clive Lloyd and Sir Vivian Richards, champion all-rounder Sir Garfield Sobers, the three Ws Sir Everton Weekes, Sir Clyde Walcott and Sir Frank Worrell, opener Gordon Greenidge, fast bowlers Michael Holding, Malcolm Marshall and Andy Roberts, and star off-spinner Lance Gibbs -- also ex-South Africa batsmen Barry Richards and Graeme Pollock -- and former Pakistan stalwarts Javed Miandad, Hanif Mohammad and Imran Khan.
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