Former New Zealand all-rounder Sir Richard Hadlee will undergo further surgery after secondary cancer was detected in his liver.

The 67-year-old, whose 431 Test wickets are the most by a Kiwi and place him eighth on the all-time list, had bowel cancer surgery in May and his wife Lady Dianne Hadlee revealed the latest diagnosis in a statement released by New Zealand Cricket.

The statement said: “This week, Richard will undergo further surgery after secondary cancer was discovered in his liver.

“Medical advice is that it’s still at a very early stage and is operable.”