Merv Hughes - Personal Life and Later Career

Personal Life and Later Career

Hughes was a notorious consumer of alcohol and food. Towards the end of his career, this was felt to have increased damage to his knees, and may have ultimately led to a shortening of his Australian and Victorian playing careers. Having always been rather overweight, he participated in both seasons of Channel Nine's Celebrity Overhaul to lose weight and improve his fitness. He was the top performer (weight-wise) in the first season of the show.

Hughes is noted for his large moustache. Described by Cricinfo as being "of incredible proportions", the moustache became sufficiently synonymous with Hughes for him to insure it for £200,000.

Hughes replaced Allan Border in June 2005 as a selector for the Australian cricket team, although his performance as a selector came under much scrutiny after many controversial decisions and the loss of the number-one ranking for Tests after the 2009 Ashes series. However, Australia would go on to have a successful 2009–10 summer, finishing undefeated in all three forms of the game. Later, however, he would be dropped as a selector for the Australian Cricket Team. Hughes is a prominent supporter of the Western Bulldogs Australian Football League team. Hughes has also done some acting, portraying Ivan Milat in the comedy movie, Fat Pizza, as well as appearing on TV commercials featuring losing weight with "The 14-day All-Bran Challenge".

Hughes was replaced as selector by Greg Chappell on 29 October 2010.