FORMER Australian cricketer and selector Merv Hughes will headline the Horsham Cricket Association’s 2013-14 presentation night on Sunday.
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Hughes – a lion-hearted Victorian fast bowler who played 53 Tests and 33 one-day internationals between 1985 and 1994 – claimed 250 international wickets in total.
This included a Test hat-trick against the West Indies in Perth in 1988.
Association secretary Darren Chesterfield said having Hughes as a special guest would add to the atmosphere of Horsham cricket’s night of nights.
“It’s great to have someone like Merv coming on Sunday,” he said.
“It’s very good of him to give us his time and pretty special to have someone of his calibre in Horsham.
"By all accounts Merv’s got some great cricket stories.”
Among the awards up for grabs will be the Cec Hopper Medal for the season’s standout A Grade player, the Alan McRae Medal for the leading B Grade player, the Ivan Morrison medal for the best C Grade player and the Wimmera Mail-Times Best Opposition Player award.
A Grade minor premier Homers will have a number of contenders for the Cec Hopper Medal, including prolific run-scorers Lachlan Jones and Sandy Hodge, opening bowler Siphe Mzaidume, off-spinner Simon Hopper and reigning Cec Hopper medallist Chris Hopper.
Blackheath-Dimboola’s Lachlan Watts and Rup-Minyip’s Adam Carter will also be in contention for the stats-based award after big seasons with the bat.
Batting and bowling average awards will also be presented for all three grades, as will man of the match awards based on umpires’ 3-2-1 votes from each game.
The association will also be running an auction and raffle on the night to help raise money for Jung Tigers cricketer Jake McLean, who is fighting leukemia.
Memorabilia pieces such as Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey cricket bats and a number of framed cricket items will be up for grabs.
Mr Chesterfield said he hoped the cricket community would get behind the event.
Radio personality Don Plenty will MC the event, which is set to get underway after the completion of the A Grade grand final from 6pm at the former Horsham RSL Diggers clubrooms at Horsham City Oval.
Tickets are available from Horsham Sports and Leisure at 76 Firebrace Street or on Sunday night at the door for $25 each.