Australian cricket legend Merv Hughes brands Piers Morgan a ‘moron’ and a ‘flog’

Merv Hughes has labeled Piers Morgan ‘an idiot’ as the Australian cricketing great doubled down on his criticism of the British broadcaster.

Morgan and Hughes have exchanged verbal volleys on social media in the wake of Jonny Bairstow’s controversial dismissal on day five of the second Test at Lord’s.

The former fast bowler turned down the chance to appear on the ‘Piers Morgan Uncensored’ show and was furious when Morgan shared his refusal on social media.

“Life is pretty good when you jump on social media and you see an idiot like Pies Morgan making fun of you,” Hughes said on SENQ’s Breakfast with Pat and Heals on Thursday.

“A producer on his show privately asked me if I wanted to go on his show and I declined respectively and said ‘no I don’t want to’ and then he put it on social media.

Morgan complained about Australian cricketers and journalists had turned down his invitations to debate Jonny Bairstow’s firing on his TV show

Bairstow (centre) was controversially driven off by Alex Carey after wandering through the wicket

“Like I said, he’s an attention seeker and a whip.”

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Hughes and Morgan were involved in a social media spat after the Aussie berated big English fans for labeling the Aussies ‘cheats’, while tempers flared at Lord’s after Bairstow was controversially sacked.

The England batsman evaded a bouncer from Cameron Green who was the last ball of the over, marked his ground and then walked forward to speak to batting partner Ben Stokes.

Australian wicket-keeper Alex Carey seized the opportunity to throw the ball to the stumps and effectively ran out Bairstow – even though it was classified as a stumping.

The incident has reignited the debate between playing by the rules and playing in the right spirit.

But Hughes, who played 53 Tests for Australia, said Carey and Aussie captain Pat Cummins had nothing to apologize for.

“Play off the spirit of cricket and bad sportsmanship, that’s what happens when rules and laws go against your arguments,” he wrote on Twitter.

“So pull your head in, apologize, and get on with your life.”

Hughes labeled Morgan a “flog” and an “attention seeker” on social media

His comments led Morgan to invite him on his show.

“Do you want to come on my show tonight and debate this, Merv?” he tweeted.

Hughes’ response was typically succinct: “I’ve been asked and answered personally, Piers — why take it to social media?”

In the same tweet, Hughes labeled Morgan a “flog” and an “attention seeker.”

On Monday, the British broadcaster complained about Australian cricketers and journalists who had shunned his invitations to debate Bairstow’s firing on his show.

“We cannot get any Australian cricketer or journalist to defend yesterday’s outrage,” Morgan said.

‘Any other candidates? Or should I assume you’ve all realized it’s indefensible.’

Australian cricket commentator and co-host of The Final Word podcast Geoff Lemon explained why Australian cricketers and journalists turned down Morgan’s invitation

Australian cricket commentator and Geoff Lemon, co-host of The Final Word podcast, responded: ‘This is why we declined, champion.

“We don’t need to help you make money by berating people on the air. We all have real work to do.”

The third Ashes test kicks off at Headingley on Thursday, with Australia needing to avoid defeat to keep the urn for a fourth consecutive time.

Victory in Leeds would secure Australia’s first series win in England since 2001.

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