Hawthorn are set to take on North Melbourne later this month, in a charity T20 cricket match in Launceston.
 
In anticipation of the big game, we asked ourselves; if our Hawks were an Aussie cricket legend (from this century), who would they be?
 
Here are our thoughts.

 
Glenn McGrath – Jarryd Roughead
 
Wickets came to McGrath like goals come to Roughy – with ease. Just as McGrath could bounce the cricket ball on the same coin-size spot six times an over, Roughy will slot a goal through the sticks with equal precision. In front of goal, or running down the pitch, few sportsmen are more reliable with a ball in their hands than these two. While ‘ooh, ahh, Jarryd Roughead’ may not roll off the tongue as easily as the famous Glenn McGrath chant, our big No.2 is certainly just as adored by fans.
 
 
Michael Hussey – Luke Hodge
 
If Hussey is Mr. Cricket, then Hodgey is Mr. Football. The bloke loves the game, and the game loves him right back. Ever reliable, ever skilful, both Huss and Hodgey are great leaders, team players, and fantastic ambassadors for their chosen sports. For every international test century or 50 Hussey has made (48), Hodgey has mustered 100 AFL Fantasy points on as many occasions (55).
 
 
Steve Smith – Isaac Smith
 
Okay, so maybe the biggest similarity between these two is their last name, but that’s not to say they don’t have other parallel traits. The way I.Smith darts up the wing to assist with yet another goal is reminiscent of the way S. Smith zips between the wickets with lightning speed. Both players demonstrate incredible endurance; Steve has been known to protect his wicket for hours in intense conditions, and we all know Issie can run for miles without so much as breaking a sweat.

 
Adam Gilchrist – Grant Birchall
 
He may not be close to the 122m six that Gilly managed in the IPL (we know, unfair comparison), but Grant Birchall sure can boot the football when he needs to. He mustered 50.2m in the 2016 Longest Kick competition (it didn’t quite come off the ‘middle of the bat’), and we’ve witnessed him kick much further during a game. Famously walking after nicking one to the keeper in the 2003 World Cup, Gilly is as honest a cricketer as they come. And for a four-time premiership player, our Birch is equally as humble. 

 
Shane Warne – Cyril Rioli

One creates magic on the cricket pitch, the other does it on the footy field. Each player has performed near impossible feats in their chosen sports. While Warney is curving one around your legs to take out middle stump, Cyril is leaping to the top of the pack and nabbing a freakish one-handed mark.

 
David Warner – Luke Breust or Jack Gunston
 
We couldn’t decide. Both Hawks have the ability to kick a bagful and cause headaches for the opposition’s defence, just as David Warner can race to a quick-fire century and leave fast bowlers with their heads in their hands. While Breust’s stature is closer to that of pocket rocket Warner, Gunston seems to mirror the cricketer’s finesse.
 
 

Now it’s your turn; tell us, which of our Hawks do you believe is most akin to cricket legend Michael Clarke?