Legendary Australian fast bowler Merv Hughes has been inducted in the Australian cricket Hall of Fame

The most famous moustache in Australian sport is now a member of the Australian cricket Hall of Fame.

Fast bowling great Merv Hughes became the 56th inductee on Tuesday after a career that spanned 53 Tests and 33 one day internationals for Australia, and firmly entrenched the Victorian in sporting folklore.

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Fast and fearsome, Hughes took 212 Test wickets including a famous hat-trick against the West Indies in Perth, which was spread across three separate overs, two innings and two different days, and went on to take 8/87 for the match.

Renowned for his fierce competitiveness, lion-hearted Hughes became a go-to bowler for former Test captain Allan Border when he needed something special and when bowling was at its toughest.

A Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1994, Hughes also represented Victoria, Essex, and the ACT over a first-class career spanning 14 seasons

Hughes’ handlebar moustache became as iconic as the man himself, as was his angled run-up which was replicated in back yards and on ovals around Australia during the late 1980s and early 1990s when Hughes was at his peak.

The affection for Hughes around Australia was on show when fielding at fine-leg in front of the fans in the then Bay 13 at the MCG, who would imitate his warm-up stretches en-masse.

The selection philosophy for the Hall of Fame focuses on the players’ status as a sporting legend in addition to their outstanding statistical records.

Hughes, now 58 having retired from first-class cricket in 1995, ticks both those boxes.

“Merv Hughes was an icon of the Australian summer for so many of us, a larger-than-life personality, a wonderful international cricketer, an ambassador for the sport and a deserved inductee into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame,” Peter King, the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame Chairman said.

“A lion-hearted competitor, Merv boasts a proud career for Victoria and Australia in the Test and One Day International arenas, paving the way for an incredible era of Australian cricketing dominance.

“Even as synonymous as his on-field record, Merv will be forever remembered as a fan-favourite and his iconic warm-ups close to the boundary, especially at the MCG, that prompted bays of spectators to join in with him at stadiums all over the country.

“He has left his legacy on the sport in post-career mentorship with modern-day teams, administrations roles as a National Selector and the heartbeat of Australian cricket. The Australian Cricket Hall of Fame is delighted to recognise Merv Hughes.”

Former teammate and now Australian Cricketers’ Association Chair, Greg Dyer, said the it was deserved recognition for Hughes.

“Merv gave it everything he had on the field, from the first ball to the last. You certainly knew you were in a contest if you were playing against him and you had a teammate prepared to deliver an absolute 100 per cent effort if you had him on your side,” Dyer said.

“In the changeroom, he had a well-deserved reputation as a complete pest - but notwithstanding - he was someone who made that place a significantly better place to be. Congratulations Merv, on this wonderful honour.”

Cricket Australia chairman, Earl Eddings, said Hughes was a “sporting legend”.

“He gave everything he had to try and help his team to win, coupled with his enthusiastic theatrics on the pitch and his love for the game he will always be warmly remembered as the big-hearted fast-bowler and larrikin who demolished batting line-ups all over the world,” he said.

“I couldn’t think of a more well-deserved inductee into the Australian Cricket Hall of fame, who now joins an elite group of individuals who have given so much to the game we all love.”