ArthurMorris

Ashes Tests: 24

Captain: 1

Record: One loss

Off the Mark

Arthur Morris was the unsung hero of the 1948 “Invincibles” tour. While Sir Donald Bradman received all the plaudits, it was Morris who would finish the Ashes as Australia’s leading run scorer with 696.

Morris played England on 24 occasions, scoring 2,080 runs at an impressive average of over 50. His form in England was the standout, with Morris finishing his career averaging 57.38 from ten appearances.

Few can fault Morris during his illustrious career, with many dubbing him Australia’s greatest opening batsman. The only negative in his career is that he didn’t captain Australia more often.

His Stint

After Ian Johnson injured his leg in the first Test at the Gabba, Morris was handed the reins for the second encounter in Sydney. The 1954/55 series had started well for Australia, as they coasted to a crushing innings victory. However, the wheels quickly fell off after that. Morris himself had made 153 in Brisbane, but it would be the only highlight in a bleak campaign.

Morris sent England on a pitch that looked to have a bit in it. His bowlers responded in style, rolling the visitors for just 154. Although the first nine batsmen reached double figures, none of the Australians passed 50 in an innings that many felt wasn’t fruitful enough.  Peter May then made 104 in a crucial knock to steer England to a more than competitive 296. Needing 223 for victory, Australia was constantly pegged back by the fearsome exploits of Frank Tyson. The English quick took 6/85 to secure a 38 run win. Neil Harvey’s 92 was the only score above 16 in what was an overall disappointing batting performance.

His Legacy

It was a shock to many that Morris only captained one Ashes encounter. He seemed the logical choice to succeed Lindsay Hassett, but was overlooked for Ian Johnson. In his one game in charge, he displayed the courage to send England in on a pitch that could have gone either way. Had it not been for ferocious Frank Tyson, he probably would have won his one and only match in charge (he did captain one other Test, which he also lost).

Morris was the sort of player who enjoyed hot streaks. In his first Ashes series, he backed up his 155 at the MCG with a pair of centuries in Adelaide. On the 1948 tour, he plundered 105, 182 and 196, as well as three half-centuries.

A champion on and off the field, Morris conceded that the War had probably cut short his playing career, but added it cost others a whole lot more.

Played and Missed

When Bradman was bowled in his final Test match, Morris was at the other end. He went on to make 196.

Incredibly, Morris scored a century in his first appearance in four different countries.

While most bowlers hated bowling to Morris, the Australian opener tried to avoid facing Alec Bedser at all costs. The English seamer dismissed him a record 18 times in Test matches.

Morris had the last laugh in his battles with Bedser. The opening batsman managed just two wickets in Test cricket; one of them was his nemesis.

Morris became the first Australian since Warren Bardsley to score a century in each innings of a Test match with 122 and 124* against England at the Adelaide Oval. It was just his fourth Test match.