Former Australian Test captain Kim Hughes has clipped veteran spinner Steve O’Keefe, after the New South Welshman’s tirade against West Australian Premier Mark McGowan.
Cricket Australia is presently negotiating with McGowan’s administration in an attempt to ensure the Perth Scorchers can complete their home fixtures at Optus Stadium.
O’Keefe, who has been on the Sydney Sixers’ books for over a decade, said he would prefer not to make the trip at all.
The Sixers are presently scheduled to play the Scorchers in the west in early January.
“I do not want to go to Perth, I don’t like Mark McGowan,” the 36-year-old told reporters on Thursday.
“I hate playing at Optus, we never do well, so I’m thinking maybe we just give Perth the two points and enjoy a weekend at home. I hate that plane flight.
“How about if Perth wants (to compete), they can come to Sydney? We’ll happily have anyone from Perth, I’m not sure McGowan thinks the same.
“Personally I’m happy to give the points to Perth, they can have them. I don’t want to go there, he doesn’t want us there.”
Hughes played 70 Tests, averaged 37.4 with the bat and captained the team from 1979 to 1984, before leading a rebel tour of apartheid South Africa while it was subject to a sporting boycott.
The former West Australian player and chairman of selectors was distinctly unimpressed with the Sixers tweaker.
“Just because he doesn’t play well there doesn’t mean you need to s--tbag it,” Hughes told SEN 1170 Mornings.
“I thought it was pretty ordinary. ‘I haven’t bowled well there.’ Maybe that’s more of a reflection on his ability.
“He should have kept his thoughts to himself.”
Despite speculation swirling that Tasmania could step up to host the fifth Ashes Test in January, Hughes says the “world class” stadium in Perth deserves to retain the fixture.
He hopes the state’s hard border and strict quarantine requirements may have been shelved by January, or eased at the very least.
“The AFL Grand Final we hosted was fantastic with a capacity crowd, and we will get a huge crowd there over the five days,” Hughes declared.
“I’m just hoping common sense prevails, and when they do come over that instead of two weeks, it’s maybe five days, or none at all.
“Even five days gives you a chance to settle down and get your family over there, as the English players will.
“Here’s hoping at that stage it’s one-all or two-all with everything to play for in the last Test match.”
Hughes acknowledged the potential for widespread discontent if the Australian and English cricketers aren’t subject to the same restrictions as the population.
“I’d agree there are some inequalities,” Hughes admitted.
“Certainly (having not been) able to come back for funerals, or weddings or other dates of significance.
“Here’s hoping that by that time, people are able to come in.”
Perth is scheduled to host the fifth Ashes Test from January 14 to 18 at Optus Stadium.