Richard Hadlee tells of fan mail from prison inmate

If you want an example of how much the Kiwis love getting one over an Australian, take this story Richard Hadlee told at the Big Knight Out dinner, organised by SportsConnect and the Trans-Tasman Business Circle, about a piece of fan mail he received during his playing days.

It came from a 63-year-old man whose ambitions to play Test cricket for the Kiwis were curtailed by a lack of ability, though he kept close tabs on the team by radio and TV. His chances of watching the national team play, however, were also limited. "I live in Auckland, I'm based at Mt Eden Prison," the fan wrote. "I still have three more years to serve on an aggravated burglary charge."

But that did not stop him from asking Hadlee for a piece of memorabilia. "I would dearly love to have a memento of yours, perhaps a signed playing shirt so I can remember your achievements. Yours sincerely, a cricket fan," the fan wrote. "PS: if it helps, the house I burgled was owned by an Australian."

Tuffey otherwise occupied

Former Kiwi fast bowler Daryl Tuffey will have things on his mind other than his nation's historic first appearance in the World Cup final on Sunday – he will be busy playing for Bankstown against Easts in their first-grade semi-final.

Tuffey, who appeared on Tonk TV to preview the final, will retire at the end of the season and he said there is no danger he or players from Easts, including NSW batsman Nic Maddinson and Peter Nevill, seen as heir apparent to Brad Haddin as the national team's wicketkeeper, would not be fully focused on their own match.

"We'll have the television on, it's an epic match between two great teams, but this is a big game for us, we've worked so hard for eight months for this game," he said. 'We have a young team and they've done very well this year and to win the comp would be the icing on the cake."

Tuffey said his mum cried with joy after the Kiwis qualified for the final and added his old teammate Shane Bond should take a bow for the job he's done as New Zealand's bowling coach.

"He's put together a pack of match winners," he said. "He's brought in an aggressive style of taking wickets, and with a good mix of youth and experience."

Beefy dismisses KP

Ian Botham remains steadfastly against Kevin Pietersen being recalled by England despite the star batsman's move to Surrey in a bid to resurrect his international career.

Botham said Pietersen had done too much damage to the team, first with his text messages to the South African team about Andrew Strauss in 2012, which was likened to "treason", and his explosive autobiography.

"Don't pick him, just leave it," Botham said. "He's been out of cricket for two years now.

"I don't think you sell your captain out to the opposition. Even if you hate the captain you don't do it because it's your team. I don't see how you can repair the damage that did. So adios, KP.

"I don't think they'll pick him, I think there's too much damage. He' already had one reintegration and that didn't work, so why would it suddenly work now?

"I don't think he will play for England again."

Graphic