FROM fishing to moustaches, country music to cricket, former Australian fast bowler Merv Hughes covered all bases while visiting the region over the weekend.
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Merv arrived in the country music capital of Tamworth on Thursday afternoon for a trade show at Avro Metaland, before making his way to Gunnedah on Friday.
First up on his agenda while in the New England was some country music, followed by “a couple of quiet lemonades later on”.
“I don’t mind my country music,” Merv said.
“Del Reeves, who is the girl wearing nothing but a smile, and a towel in the picture on the billboard in the field near the big old highway.”
Merv, who has been a Metaland ambassador for almost 20 years, was in Gunnedah on Friday to visit the business, before he went fishing at Lake Keepit.
“Hopefully the fish will play the game out there,” he said ahead of his maiden voyage to the dam.
“I enjoy freshwater fishing, chasing cod, bass, yellow belly, and down at home, I chase the odd red fin.
“I do more freshwater than saltwater fishing.”
Merv took his visit to the region as an opportunity to praise homegrown talent, Bendemeer-born Australian pace bowler Josh Hazlewood.
“He’s a star,” Merv said.
“He just goes from strength to strength.
“He’s an outstanding player, he’s a world-class bowler.”
Merv represented Australia between 1985 and 1994 in 53 Test matches, taking 212 wickets.
He played 33 One Day Internationals, taking 38 wickets.
Nicknamed Fruitfly, Merv took a hat trick in a Test against the West Indies at the WACA in 1988–89, and went on to take 8–87.
In 1993, he took 31 wickets in the Ashes Series against England.
But the 55-year-old has now given the game up for the most part.
“I try not to (play), but occasionally get called in for a game,” Merv said.
“The body pays for it.
“When you think you’re young and can handle it, you find out how wrong you are.”
Though his cricket skills might have wavered, his iconic moustache remains stronger than ever.
“You just don’t shave in that spot for a long time,” he tipped.
“It’s been since 1985, so it’s been a while.”
The Victorian now has his own fishing show, Merv Hughes Fishing.