An all-rounder and two strippers
Shane Lee | June 13, 2023
An all-rounder and two strippers walk into a bar - they are all brothers. All talented. And all from Campbelltown! They are Craig, Adam and David Hughes.
We have all played in teams when we wished we had a little more man power. A little more pace from our opening bowlers. A little more determination and resolve from our batters. A little more turn from our spinners! The all-rounder is responsible for more than one of these wishes. Mr All-rounder strives to be the option, the solution, and the answer in times of need. Unfortunately most the all-rounders find it hard to get both their batting and bowling firing at the same time. But when it does…the team almost certainly wins!
Craig Hughes is the first genuine all-rounder I played with at Campbelltown. A strapping six foot blonde who bowled bouncy out-swingers and could smash the ball when batting to all parts of the ground. He represented NSW in the U’19s and Colts and was a prolific wicket taking all-rounder for close to 17 years in first grade cricket. He is also one of my best mates.
When I first met the Hughes clan, I was welcomed into their home in Campbelltown by John and Jan Hughes. Great parents and wonderful people. John has a million funny stories and still plays tennis in his late 70’s. Jan runs the show although John thinks he does.
Inside the Hughes home I noticed pictures of the three boys on the mantle piece. The first photo of David the youngest brother, with long blonde Fabio hair and shoulders wider than the Harbour Bridge. He stood naked on a beach with his right leg covering his old fella. The second picture of the middle brother Adam, standing front on in a pair of jeans only. He bright white smile and abs equalling popping and a tan you only get from good old fashioned Coconut oil.
Dave and Adam Hughes
The third and somewhat out of place picture was of my mate Craig, the oldest brother dressed head to toe in his University graduation outfit. Craig did finish a Masters in Commerce and I’m pretty sure his outfit in said photo wasn’t a poor stripper’s costume. Saying that, mum loved all three the same!
Adam was the first brother to get a professional gig in the Vegas show Man Power. Preforming eight to ten shows a week with fellow performer Jamie Durie, the boy from Campbelltown was in the number one show in Vegas. I can almost hear the sound of velcro arse-less chaps being torn off as I write this article….you can leave your hat on.
Prior to Adam’s selection in the Vegas show, his Dad John unaware of Adam’s panache for stripping found a number of dress up outfits in his bedroom at home. John asked older brother Craig what Adam was getting up to his spare time. “Craig, is your younger brother hanging out with more guys or girls these days?”
“Why?”
"I found some questionable dress ups in his wardrobe.” John said.
“Dad he is not gay, he is only a stripper.”
“Thank God for that. I want grand kids.”
Too funny!
Due to the balance of the Campbelltown first grade team in the early 90’s, Craig was forced to leave and play for Parramatta. I did feel bad taking the place of my good mate back then but there was only room for one all-rounder in that team. It was years later we again joined forces when we all moved to the Northshore to play for the Mosman cricket. Joining us in an attempt to save the club from possible extinction was another good friend Martin Haywood.
The Mosman club has more juniors than any other club in Sydney but due to the high attendance at private schools most are unable to play for the local club until they finish school. The result being Mosman had finished last in the club championship three years in a row. Cricket in Mosman was close to being shut down. Removed and the cricket ground being turned into facilities for other sports. How could this be?
It is still one of my greatest achievements in being able to turn the Mosman club around with the help of Craig and Martin and the club remains strong on the Northshore of Sydney as it has for over 100 years. It means my son and other local boys and girls can still play cricket there if they choose to and the history of the club can continue for future generations.
The Hughes family has taught me we all have different talents in life. Some more left of centre than others. Adam and Dave followed their passion in life and do not regret missing out on playing team sports or going to University like their older brother Craig.
Craig the financial planner on the other hand would give his left nut for one night on the boards in Vegas!
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