bob10
10th October 2015, 07:50 PM
Arthur Morris AUSTRALIA lost one of its Bradman-era cricket legends, and former soldier, with the passing of 93-year-old Arthur Morris on August 22. In 1939, Bondi-born Arthur Morris played for the NSW Second XI, failed his school leaving certificate and secured a job as a clerk in Sydney Town Hall's prosecutions division. In 1940, at the age of 18, he became the first person in the world to score a century in each innings of his first class debut batting for NSW, with a borrowed bat, against Queensland at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).\
He put his promising cricket career on hold when he joined the Citizen Military Forces? 28 Inf Bde HQ, serving from November 1941 to January 1943. Pte Morris then enlisted in the 2nd AIF in January, 1943, and served mostly in New Guinea with 8 Movt Cont Gp until he was demobilised in June 1946. According to Head of the Centenary of Anzac Planning Team Maj-Gen Greg Melick, a good friend of Mr Morris, he played more service rugby union than cricket during his military career. ?Had he not chosen cricket, he would have become a Wallaby, having been regarded as an exceptional five-eighth,? he said. ?He was also an outstanding tennis player, a sport he was still playing until his 80s.? The left-hander resumed his cricket career after WWII, playing 46 tests for Australia between November 1946 and June 1955, but retiring early to be with his terminally-ill wife who he had married only 15 months before.
During his test career, Mr Morris scored 3533 runs at an average of 46.49, with 12 centuries and 12 halfcenturies. He averaged over 57 as an opener in English test matches, despite uncovered wickets, and captained Australia on two occasions. According to Maj-Gen Melick, Mr Morris's eight centuries against England was second only to the great Don Bradman, and in the famous 1948 ?Invincibles? test series he outscored, and had a higher average, than 'the Don?. ?When Bradman was bowled by Eric Hollies for a duck in his last innings, Arthur was at the other end, eventually run out protecting the tail,? he said. ?But he scored one of the most forgotten centuries in test history ? a mere 196 which ensured that Australia did not have to bat again as England only managed to score a total of 240 in both innings. ?He was a popular player, highly praised by Australian and English commentators for his character, goodwill and ability.?
Maj-Gen Melick said Mr Morris had a dry sense of humour and when asked what he got out of test cricket, responded ?poverty?. ?Unlike today's players, cricketers of his era were lucky to even have their extra expenses covered,? MajGen Melick said. Mr Morris was a Trustee of the SCG for 22 years, the last eight as deputy chair, and was awarded the MBE in 1974 for services to sport./Cont. over
He put his promising cricket career on hold when he joined the Citizen Military Forces? 28 Inf Bde HQ, serving from November 1941 to January 1943. Pte Morris then enlisted in the 2nd AIF in January, 1943, and served mostly in New Guinea with 8 Movt Cont Gp until he was demobilised in June 1946. According to Head of the Centenary of Anzac Planning Team Maj-Gen Greg Melick, a good friend of Mr Morris, he played more service rugby union than cricket during his military career. ?Had he not chosen cricket, he would have become a Wallaby, having been regarded as an exceptional five-eighth,? he said. ?He was also an outstanding tennis player, a sport he was still playing until his 80s.? The left-hander resumed his cricket career after WWII, playing 46 tests for Australia between November 1946 and June 1955, but retiring early to be with his terminally-ill wife who he had married only 15 months before.
During his test career, Mr Morris scored 3533 runs at an average of 46.49, with 12 centuries and 12 halfcenturies. He averaged over 57 as an opener in English test matches, despite uncovered wickets, and captained Australia on two occasions. According to Maj-Gen Melick, Mr Morris's eight centuries against England was second only to the great Don Bradman, and in the famous 1948 ?Invincibles? test series he outscored, and had a higher average, than 'the Don?. ?When Bradman was bowled by Eric Hollies for a duck in his last innings, Arthur was at the other end, eventually run out protecting the tail,? he said. ?But he scored one of the most forgotten centuries in test history ? a mere 196 which ensured that Australia did not have to bat again as England only managed to score a total of 240 in both innings. ?He was a popular player, highly praised by Australian and English commentators for his character, goodwill and ability.?
Maj-Gen Melick said Mr Morris had a dry sense of humour and when asked what he got out of test cricket, responded ?poverty?. ?Unlike today's players, cricketers of his era were lucky to even have their extra expenses covered,? MajGen Melick said. Mr Morris was a Trustee of the SCG for 22 years, the last eight as deputy chair, and was awarded the MBE in 1974 for services to sport./Cont. over