Kim Hughes

Previous experience

His first-class debut was at the WACA Ground on 2 November 1975 when he provided a masterful exhibition of strokeplay against New South Wales, making 119 and becoming only the fifth Western Australian batsman to make a century on debut.

Probably the most dashing batsman of his generation, the golden-haired Hughes drew vast crowds to cricket with his audacious and breath-taking stroke play.

A testament to his daring batting style, he is the only man to have hit a six on all five days of a Test match, a feat he achieved in the 1980 Centenary Test at Lord’s.

But he was also a player of great substance, as he showed during his 100 not out against the mighty West Indian attack on a treacherous MCG pitch on Boxing Day 1981. Facing the fearsome fast-bowling quartet of Michael Holding, Andy Roberts, Joel Garner and Colin Croft, his brave century enabled Australia to win a low-scoring match and take a 1-0 lead in the series. The Wisden 100 ranking of the Top 10 Test Innings of All Time ranked that innings as number 9.

At the age of only 24, Hughes was given the captaincy of the Australian Test team, becoming the first Western Australian Test Captain of Australia and the second youngest in Australian history. He went on to lead his country 28 times.

Hughes also captained WA 28 times and was at the helm during three Sheffield Shield victories.

He chaired the WA selection panel and is renowned as a passionate and inspirational speaker on cricketing matters as well as team work, culture, men’s health and wellness.