Australian cricket legend Rodney Hogg reveals his hatred of the MCG – and why he sells fake signed baggy greens

Former Australian bowler Rodney Hogg has opened up about why he sells fake signed baggy green caps and his hatred of the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Hogg, who played 38 Tests and 71 One Day Internationals for Australia from 1978 to 1985, had a great record at the MCG – but is not a fan of the famous ground.

‘There are too many people there and a lot of them want to speak to you,’ he revealed in a bizarre interview with News Corp reporter Jon Anderson.

‘Plus the wind used to swirl meaning you were never actually bowling with it, as I should have been.’

In 1978, Hogg took took 5-30 and 5-36 in at the stadium against England was presented with a trophy for his man-of-the-match performance.

The 73-year-old says he has still got the trophy, but admits he’s sold off everything else – including his baggy green.

‘I sold that [the cap] years ago, but I have about a dozen fake baggy greens that I sign and sell at functions,’ he said.

When asked if the iconic Test caps meant anything to him, Hogg bristled and seemed to take a shot at former skipper Steve Waugh.

‘You seem obsessed with it,’ he replied to Anderson.

‘It’s a cap. What, do you want me to do, look like a clown and wear one to Wimbledon?’

Waugh, who is credited by many for restoring pride in the baggy green, famously got the team to wear their caps to Wimbledon in 2001. 

Hogg, who had a reputation for being blunt to young fans searching for autographs while he was fielding, allegedly once told Anderson’s nephew to ‘p**s off’.

‘As I should have,’ Hogg replied when questioned about the incident.

‘When Dr Paul Barnard was transplanting hearts, do you reckon there were people annoying him for autographs. 

‘The cricket ground was my place of work.’