A fantastic piece of New Zealand cricketing memorabilia—an original Sir Richard Hadlee "Owzat" 4-piece hand-made genuine leather cricket ball (156g regulation weight)
Features classic gold-foil stamping, including "OWZAT", "HADLEE CRICKET", and Sir Richard Hadlee’s printed facsimile signature
Event: Acquired in person at the historic grand opening weekend of WestpacTrust Stadium (Wellington, NZ) in January 2000.
Match: Purchased on the opening Saturday (8th January 2000) during the inaugural international match at the stadium between New Zealand and the West Indies
Personal History: I attended the opening match on that Saturday and bought this ball at the ground. It has sat safely displayed on a shelf indoors ever since and has never been used or bowled.
Signatures: The ball was originally hand-signed in marker. Over the last 26 years, the ink has naturally faded away, though faint trace marks remain visible under close inspection
Overall: Excellent vintage display condition with deep cherry-red polished leather and crisp, bright gold lettering
Flaws: Unused with no pitch wear or scuffs, except for one small surface nick in the leather near the gold lettering as clearly shown in the close-up photo
Seams & Stitching: Clean, tight, and completely intact
Brand/Line: OWZAT / Hadlee Cricket
Weight: 156 Grams (Senior Regulation)
Construction: 4-Piece Hand-Stitched Leather
Origin: Purchased in Wellington, New Zealand (2000)