Merv Hughes was and is one of the best fast bowling stars that Australia has seen in its lifetime and especially In Test Cricket. Merv Hughes was fast and he would scare the opponent and take their wickets. Merv Hughes played 53 Test Matches for Australia and in those Matches he has taken 212 Wickets at an average of 28.38. He has also got 7 Five Wicket Hauls in Test Cricket and 1 time he has taken 10 Wickets in a Test Match. He also played 33 ODIs for Australia and in those he took 38 wickets.
Let’s look at the Top 5 Best Bowling Performances of Merv Hughes in Test Cricket
1) 5/30 and 8/87 vs West Indies (1988)
This is the best performance in the career of Merv Hughes and most certainly one of the most legendary bowling performances in a losing cause. Even though Australia lost it does not diminish this incredible performance. In the first batting innings of the West Indies he took 5 wickets after giving 130 runs. He bowled a long spell of 36.1 overs. He was the only bowler in this innings who looked like taking a wicket. However his best was saved for the second innings. He took 8 wickets for 87 runs and he bowled 37 overs in this innings. It means he bowled a total of 73 overs in this match and took 13 wickets.
2) 5/67 vs Sri Lanka (1988)
This was his first 5 Wicket Haul and this match was easily won by Australia by an innings and 108 runs. It was the second batting innings of Sri Lanka where Merv Hughes did all the damage. He bowled a brilliant spell of 27 overs in which he only gave away 67 runs and took 5 wickets. This was one of the best spells for a new fast bowler. Merv Hughes was becoming a second innings specialist and it was helping Australia.
Read here about another Australian Fast Bowling Legend: Best Bowling Spells by Australian Fast Bowling Legend Jeff Thomson
3) 5/111 vs Pakistan (1990)
This was yet another spell where Merv Hughes had to work hard to get wickets but his persistent line and lengths resulted in a 5 wicket haul. It was yet again the second innings of Pakistan and he bowled 32 overs in the Innings and he gave away 111 runs and took 5 wickets. The match was a draw but Merv Hughes was showing that he can take 5 wickets against any opponent.
4) 5/64 vs West Indies (1993)
This was one of the most thrilling test matches of all time and the West Indies just won the match by 1 run. This time it was the first batting innings of the West Indies and Merv Hughes was showing later in his career as well that he has the capability of taking 5 wickets against the best in the world. Merv Hughes bowled 21.3 overs in this spell and he gave away 64 runs as well as took 5 wickets of West Indies which included the likes of Brian Lara. Merv Hughes loved performing against West Indies as they were the best team but Australia lost the match by 1 run.
5) 5/92 vs England (1993)
A performance from the Ashes not being in these lists is something that is hard to imagine and finally Merv Hughes took 5 wickets against England and he got his Ashes moment. This was the first batting innings for England and Merv Hughes was in his element as he wanted to make a mark in the Ashes like the other great players before him. He bowled 31 overs in this spell and he gave away 92 runs at 3 runs per over and he took his Final 5 Wicket Haul in Test Cricket against England. This performance gave him a lot of satisfaction and the match was a draw.
