Australian cricket legend Merv Hughes has delivered a brutal statistical reality check to England fans following the Three Lions' crushing defeat in the first Ashes Test in Perth, revealing a stunning fact about their bowling attack.
The Revelation That Stunned Cricket Fans
The former pace bowler won a social media exchange with an abusive supporter by highlighting that all 12 of England's wickets were taken by players not born in England. Hughes made his pointed observation on X in response to a fan mocking Steve Smith's emotional press conference appearance, where the Australian batsman became tearful when discussing sanctions from the 2018 Sandpapergate scandal.
The breakdown of England's wicket-takers makes for revealing reading: Ben Stokes, born in New Zealand, claimed five wickets in the first innings; Brydon Carse, born in South Africa, took five scalps across the match; and Jofra Archer, born in Barbados, secured two wickets. Meanwhile, Gus Atkinson and Mark Wood - the only England pacemen actually born in England - finished the match without taking a single wicket.
Hughes Fires Back in Signature Style
Never one to back down from confrontation, Hughes capped his statistical masterstroke with the classic Australian retort: 'Cop this one Craig … you might have a cry yourself!!!!' He accompanied this with a picture emphasising his point while reminding the fan that all 20 of Australia's first-Test dismissals came from bowlers born Down Under.
This latest exchange continues Hughes' reputation as one of cricket's most vocal former players on social media, where he regularly engages in heated debates with fans and commentators alike. His ongoing feud with English broadcaster Piers Morgan particularly stands out, having previously branded him a 'hypocritical flog' and 'moron' following Morgan's reaction to the controversial stumping of Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023.
A History of On-Field Confrontation
Hughes' combative style is nothing new. During his playing days, he was notorious for verbal clashes with opponents. His exchange with Pakistani legend Javed Miandad remains particularly memorable, when Miandad called him a 'fat bus conductor', prompting Hughes to shoot back 'Tickets, please!' upon taking his wicket.
Another classic moment saw 'Swervin' Mervyn' ask former England captain Graham Gooch, 'Would you like me to bowl a piano and see if you can play that?' after he repeatedly played and missed several deliveries.
Despite - or perhaps because of - this fiery demeanour, the big-hearted fast bowler remains one of Australian cricket's most beloved figures. His distinctive appearance, aggressive on-field presence and famously imitated stretching routine made him a crowd favourite throughout his career.
The Victorian bowler took 212 wickets across 52 Tests between 1985 and 1994, with a remarkable 75 of those scalps coming against England. He also scored a Test half-century during his nine-year international career, cementing his status as a genuine cult hero of Australian sport.
