Australian fast-bowling great Merv Hughes was back playing in Melbourne alongside his two teenage sons
Swervin' Mervyn dusts off the whites again
Australian Test legend Merv Hughes defied the heat and ageing body to return to the field last weekend to play with his two teenage sons.
The 54-year-old larrikin toiled through 40 degree-plus temperatures to fill in for the Footscray Edgewater fourth XI with sons Tim, 18, and Scott, 14.
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Playing at the Tony Dodemaide Oval, Hughes bowled three overs and while he didn't take a wicket kept it tight, although found the going tough.
"I'm going okay, I only bowled three overs. It was hard work, I'm not as young as I used to be or as fit as I ever was. I struggled a bit," Hughes told Crocmedia.
"With the West Indies game against the Cricket Victoria XI, three of the Footscray boys got called up, we were a little bit short in the fourths. Everyone goes up a grade, myself and my youngest son were drawn into the Footscray fourth XI.
"In all honesty, I think it was 68 degrees."
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Hughes has long been involved with the Bulldogs – starting his district career at the club before his international career. He has since been lured back as bowling coach for the first XI and vice-president.
However, the off-field commitments haven't seen him lose any of the passion which saw him a fan favourite in his 53 Tests for Australia.
"He went okay today. He had an absolute sitter put down at second slip," eldest son Tim Hughes said.
Merv had his own take on the tale.
"When a bloke stands at second slip and drops off a catch off you then takes a harder caught and bowled, I might've said 'Oh you take them off your own bowling'," the right-armer said.
"It might've been a little bit louder than under my breath."
Hughes even offered a parting jibe for former Bulldog, Victorian bowling partner and current Cricket Victoria CEO Tony Dodemaide.
"It was stinking hot there today at the Tony Dodemaide Oval. It's commonly referred to as the Tony Dodemaide Oval, but I like to refer to it as the pissy little ground across the road from the main ground."
The Footscray first XI ground is named the Mervyn Gregory Hughes Oval.