Sir Richard Hadlee has made his first public appearance since undergoing a second round of surgery for cancer.

Photo: RNZ / Conan Young

New Zealand's most accomplished cricketer spoke at a function at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Tuesday night, held to thank his trust for a large donation towards the refurbishment of an indoor training centre for cricketers next to the oval, named after him.

Footage was played on the night of the last ball Sir Richard ever bowled in test cricket against England in 1990 in which he managed to a take yet another five wicket haul.

But it was the nine wickets he took against Australia at the Gabba in 1985 that was on everybody's mind with it being 33 years to the day since he achieved that unbelievable feat - the best test performance ever in Australia by any player - homegrown or visiting.

Incredibly it was also the first time New Zealand had beaten Australia in Australia.

Ever the perfectionist, Sir Richard said it was tough to stop at just nine wickets.

"If ever there was a perfect time to pick up ten wickets in the innings, I had it in my hands to do so, particularly when that ball went up in the air when Geoff Lawson swept Vaughan Brown and there I was at mid-on and I had to run around to about mid-wicket to take that catch. Do I have any regrets about taking that catch? Of course not."

Sir Richard underwent surgery for bowel cancer in June.

A month later it was announced he would need further surgery for secondary liver cancer, followed by yet more chemotherapy.

On Tuesday night, Sir Richard gave thanks to friends and family gathered to recognise his contribution to the game and formally announced an $800,000 donation from his trust towards refurbishing what will become the Richard Hadlee Sports Centre.

"Because of my long association with cricket, I'm immensely pleased the trustees have supported the recommendation to be part of this development. This is extremely meaningful for me personally."

Sir Richard was too tired after the function for media interviews, but those gathered were full of praise for his contribution towards cricket both as a player and as an administrator, including commentator Brian Waddle.

"He was a man who set himself goals. He was misunderstood by a lot of people, but he's a champion. And champions work hard at what they do and it doesn't matter in what area, whether you're a pop singer, whether you're a ballet dancer whatever you do, it doesn't come just like that. You have to work."

One of Sir Richard's teammates in that famous victory over Australia in 1985, was spin-bowler Stephen Boock.

"He played at a time when cricket was still for most of us, for fun, it wasn't a job. But he was just far more focused than I remember anyone else being. He was analytical and he was clever. He had a memory about every batsman he bowled to."

The contribution of Sir Richard's trust meant there was still $2.5 million left to raise to make the indoor training centre a reality.

It was hoped construction could begin in April next year.