North London CC had a special visitor this week in the shape of Australian great Merv Hughes.

Islington Gazette: Merv Hughes speaks at North London CC (pic Stephen Gardiner)Merv Hughes speaks at North London CC (pic Stephen Gardiner) (Image: Archant)

The former fast bowler, who terrorised batsmen around the world in the 1980s and 90s, brought a team from Victoria to start a two-week tour of England and Wales.

But Hughes was unable to play due to a non-cricketing injury to his bowling arm, as the hosts won by six wickets.

Captain Shaun Brown said: “The lads are so excited to be playing here in England and we have been made so welcome.”

An audience of 70 were then treated to after-dinner tales from Hughes, who said: “Javed Miandad called me a fat bus conductor. I bowled him and said ‘tickets please’.”

Hughes added: “North London have made us feel so welcome. You realise that the Aussie idea of the quiet, reserved Pommie is meaningless when you get together with a bunch of cricketers at a lovely club like this. I hope the rest of the tour lives up to this day.