Vale Jim Hadley
Western Suburbs District Cricket Club Sydney | December 27, 2024
Sydney Grade Cricket was saddened to hear of the passing of Jim Hadley, Western Suburbs first grade player #504, during the holiday period.
Hadley ironically debuted for the Magpies against Mosman, his former club, on September 29th., 1984, on the same day as Murray Radcliffe. Other contemporaries at Wests included Dirk Wellham, Dave Gilbert, Greg Matthews, Greg Dyer, Brad McNamara, Paul Ryan, Scott Hookey, Peter Burkhart and current Western Suburbs President Michael Swan.
Scott Jacobson, who also moved on to Wests, along with Scott Atkinson and Dudley Slater during 1992-1993, recalled Hadley’s early impact at Mosman, “I played a few seasons with Jim Hadley at Mosman, where he bowled fast leg spin like Anil Kumble. A leg spinner with great control, he was just relentless in line and length, batsmen could not get him away. He took 5-25 to win a Poidevin Gray (Under 21) Shield final against Bankstown, which included the Waugh brothers, Smith, Crowfoot and several other quality First Graders. He had a couple of stellar seasons at Mosman before moving on to Wests. In first grade he made some very good players look ordinary. Jim just didn’t have the drive to play at a higher level, but certainly had the ability”.
Wests Test pace bowler, Dave Gilbert, recalls Jim Hadley as “a good bloke, quite a character around the team, well-liked by players and supporters alike. He was a quality right arm leg spinner”.
Another former Magpie President, Dave O’Neil recalls, “Besides his accurate leg spin, Jim was a hard-hitting lower order batsman. He played a leading role in Greg Dyer’s 1984-85 Grand Final side which finished runner up to St. George. Jim was one of those players who added to and lifted the entire team by his commitment and support and his sheer love of the game”.
In that grand final, Greg Dyer recalls, “the match may have turned into a rout, but for Jim Hadley and Greg Edwards staging a defiant ninth wicket stand of 86 in two and a half hours”.
Sydney Cricket identity Jim Robson mentioned Hadley’s trademark long hair, which he had until his last few months. Robson rated Hadley “as the best and fittest player in Veterans Cricket”.
Andrew Knight, Chairman of Australian Over 50s Veterans Cricket and a former teammate of Jim Hadley at Mosman Cricket Club, shared his condolences, “The whole veterans cricket community were sad to hear about the passing of Australian 50s player #27 Jim Hadley. A fine leg spinner and a great teammate.”
In his first grade time at the Magpies, 1984 through to 1988, Jim Hadley took 20 wickets at 40.20, with a best of 3/65. In the 32 matches, he accumulated 366 runs, at 22.87, with a top score of 45. His contribution to the lower grades was invaluable. Jim’s club spirit is well illustrated in a comeback to assist Wests Third Grade in 2004-05. He always kept in touch with former team mates, visiting Pratten Park in the past 18 months to support his ailing friend Peter ‘Skylab’ McLay
Hadley had been playing Veterans Cricket for NSW and became Australian Over 50’s Player #27. The enclosed photo shows a very fit NSW Veterans Player as recently as January 2022.
James Ian Hadley, only in his early sixties, lost his battle with cancer on Boxing Day 2024.
All at Western Suburbs, and cricket supporters in general, pass on our sincere condolences to Jim’s family and friends.
