The former fast bowler cleverly responded to a taunting fan by emphasizing that all 12 wickets taken by England’s bowlers were claimed by players who were not born in England.

Hughes shared this intriguing observation on social media platform X, replying to a fan who had mocked Steve Smith for his emotional apology in a press conference after the 2018 Sandpapergate ball-tampering scandal.

In the match, Ben Stokes, originally from New Zealand, secured five wickets in the first innings. Brydon Carse, hailing from South Africa, also took five wickets throughout the game. Jofra Archer, born in Barbados, added two more to the tally, while England-born pacers Gus Atkinson and Mark Wood did not manage to take any wickets.

Ben Stokes (born in New Zealand) took five wickets in the first innings, Brydon Carse (born in South Africa) claimed five scalps across the entire match, and Jofra Archer (born in Barbados) took two wickets, with Gus Atkinson and Mark Wood, the only pacemen born in England, going wicketless.

The former fast bowler also reminded the fan that all 20 of Australia’s first-Test dismissals came from bowlers who were born Down Under.

‘Cop this one Craig … you might have a cry yourself!!!!’ Hughes captioned the picture on X.

Merv Hughes (pictured ahead of the 2025/26 Ashes series) is an Aussie cult hero known for refusing to take a backwards step when he’s abused online

England captain Ben Stokes (pictured) was born in New Zealand before moving to England at the age of 12

Jofra Archer (pictured) moved from Barbados to England in 2015 after being snubbed for the West Indies 2014 ICC T20 World Cup Team

Hughes is one of the most vocal former cricketers on social media, and has engaged in very tense exchanges over the years with fans and commentators.

His ongoing feud with English TV presenter and journalist Piers Morgan stands out.

The former fast bowler branded Morgan a ‘hypocritical flog’ and ‘moron’ following the broadcaster’s reaction to the controversial stumping of England batter Jonny Bairstow at Lord’s in 2023. 

That saw Morgan’s production team to put out an invitation for Hughes to appear on the Piers Morgan Uncensored show, which was swiftly declined.

Hughes was no stranger to verbal clashes with opponents during his playing days.

His exchange with Javed Miandad is especially memorable, with the Pakistani legend calling him a ‘fat bus conductor’, prompting Hughes to shoot back, ‘Tickets, please!’ when he took his wicket.  

‘Swervin’ Mervyn’ also asked former England captain Graham Gooch, ‘Would you like me to bowl a piano and see if you can play that?’ after he played and missed at several deliveries.

The big-hearted fast bowler remains one of the most beloved figures in the game Down Under thanks to his talent and big personality. 

The popular Victorian former fast bowler has made a very interesting point in the early part of England’s Ashes campaign

Piers Morgan (pictured) has been very vocal on the state of Australian cricket over the past three years in particular

Hughes (pictured in his playing days) remains one of Australia’s most popular cricketers

Hughes was a crowd favourite thanks to his distinctive look, fiery on-field demeanour and widely impersonated habit of stretching to warm up before bowling stints.

The Victorian bowler took 212 wickets across 52 Tests, making his debut against India in the 1985-86 series.

No fewer than 75 of those scalps came against England.

Hughes also scored one Test half century during his nine-year stint as a major part of the Aussie Test team.