Biography

If there is any figure that is as recognizable in the cricket world as W.G. Grace’s beard, it has to be Merv Hughes’ moustache. Or probably it was his 40 plus step bowling run-up to the wicket. Whatever maybe the case, Merv Hughes was an entertainer – he was christened as the pesky Fruitfly and was much more to the Australian team.

Hughes made his Test debut against India in 1985, but did nothing of note on a flat Adelaide wicket. He did pick up five wickets in his next match versus England, but it was the home series against West Indies that shot him to fame. He not only picked up his first ten wicket haul – 13/217 – but also achieved a Test Hat-trick off three different overs at WACA. Hughes finished with 212 Test scalps, at 4 wickets a match, but his ODI career was a little chequered - only 38 wickets of 33 ODIs. As a batsman, he was a hard hitter of the cricket ball, and managed to average almost 17. He played his last Test against South Africa in 1994, and did not pick up a single wicket – only the fourth time in his career.

Post retirement, Hughes undertook many fan tours to international venues in support of the Aussie team, but in 2005, he surprisingly joined the Australian National selectors panel replacing Allan Border.