13 facts about Arthur Morris - An Ashes Invincible

13 facts about Arthur Morris – An Ashes Invincible: There are many cricketers who come and vanish with time. But there are few who are treasured in their country’s Folklore even after decades of their retirement from the game. When someone churns out the name of Arthur Robert Morris, people get resounding images of an astute player who graced the sport with his sheer class and elegance. His glorious cover drives had the audacity to bring about living heaven to the sight of the human eye. A masterly apt hooker and puller of the red cherry, Morris was epitomized as one of the most versatile players of his time.

Morris graced the game in uncountable ways and will always be there in the hearts of millions who love the game and its heroes. Overall he donned the Baggy Green in 46 Test matches and stroked 3,533 runs at an average of 46.48 with 12 tons.

Today, we list 13 facts about Arthur Morris – An Ashes Invincible:

1. Birth:

Arthur Morris was born in Bondi on January 19, 1922. He was raised in the suburbs of Sydney. His father was a school teacher though he played Club cricket and encouraged Morris to play the sport.

2. Arrival to Cricket:

His First Class career began in Southern Sydney when he was only 14 years old. He made his first grade debut for St George. At 18, Arthur Morris made his debut for New South Wales and hammered back to back centuries in the match. He had also represented Australia XI against Wally Hammond’s touring MCC team. In that match he played a scintillating knock of 115 runs and partnered Australian legend Don Bradman in a 196 run stand.

3. Don Bradman on Arthur Morris:

The Australian legend Don Bradman regarded Arthur Morris as the best left-handed batter he had ever seen in his life. After the match against MCC, he was so impressed by Morris that he got him a place in the Aussie side for the Ashes 1948.

4. Crowning moment:

Morris didn’t disappoint Bradman as well. In the Don Bradman’s Invincibles side he transpired to be the leading run-scorer with 696 runs at an astounding average of 87 that included three centuries. Morris played a remarkable role as an opener and laid solid platform for the other batters of the side.

5. Oldest living Australian cricketer:

Arthur Morris was the oldest living Australian cricketer and died at the age of 93. After his demise, Chairman of Cricket Australia (CA) had said that, “We have sadly lost a cherished link with our past. When Australia’s best openers are discussed his name will always be one of the first mentioned.”

6. Captaincy stint:

Arthur Morris had captained Australia in 2 Test matches. He led the Aussie side for the first time in 1951 when Lindsay Hassett was injured and then for the second and final time in 1954 when Ian Johnson and Keith Miller were injured. But under his captaincy Australia lost both the matches.

7. Part of Australia’s best opening combination:

Arthur Morris and Sid Barnes were one of the most prolific openers in the history of Australian cricket. They struck a century opening stand every 4.3 Test innings which is the best for any Australian opening pair. The second position is occupied by the pair of David Warner and Chris Rogers who combine in a century stand every 4.6 Test innings.

8. Co-incidental stats:

In 46 Tests Morris scored 3,533 runs at an average of 46.48 with 12 centuries and 12 half-centuries. While in 162 First Class matches he ended up with 12,614 runs at an average of 53.67 with 46 centuries and 46 half-centuries.

9. Ashes hero:

Arthur Morris was particularly very severe on the English bowlers. Whenever the fiercest battle of Ashes commenced, he rose up to the occasion. In 24 Ashes Tests he accumulated 2,080 runs at an average of 50.73 with 8 centuries and 8 half-centuries.

10. Memorable knock:

The Ashes 1948 was the Ashes of Arthur Morris. He not only top-scored in the series but also led his side to a famous victory at Leeds. On the final day of the match and with less than six hours to go Australian’s were set an improbable target of 404 runs. But Morris stroked 182 runs and partnered Don Bradman in a 301 run stand for the 2nd wicket. The chase of 404 runs remained the record for highest chase in Test cricket for 40 long years.

11. Link with Army:

In 1941 his cricket career was interrupted when he was enlisted in the 1st Australian Imperial Force. Morris served in World War II until 1946.

12. Marriage life:

His first wife Valerie Hudson was diagnosed with breast cancer. Due to her health condition Morris retired from cricket when he was 34 years old. Their marriage was only 18 months old when she died. Later the Aussie southpaw met her second wife Judith Menmuir in 1968.

13. Link with Bradman’s last innings:

Arthur Morris was present at the non-striker’s end when Don Bradman got out for a duck in his final Test innings at the Oval.