Cricket Australia extends its deepest sympathies to the Morris family following the sad passing of Test legend Arthur, aged 93. Vale.
— Cricket Australia (@CAComms) August 21, 2015
Arthur Morris, an opening batsman who shared many memorable partnerships with No. 3 batsman Don Bradman died overnight. He was 93.
The left-hander, from Sydney, made his debut on November 29, 1946, at Brisbane against England. He played 46 Tests for Australia till June 1955. He scored 3533 runs at an average of 46.49, with 12 centuries and 12 half centuries.
Morris formed a formidable opening partnership with Sid Barnes Sid Barnes in the Invincible Australia team.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the partnership between them lasted only nine matches, owing the paucity of matches in the period, they notched century stands in every 4.3 innings, the best of any Australian opening partnership.
His most productive partnership came with Don Bradman. Together they played 13 matches, in those matches their average partnership was 104.4. Among those partnership, two were monsters: 223 unbeaten against India at the MCG in 1947-48 and 301 against England in Leeds in 1948.
ICYMI: Australia bid farewell to Baggy Green legend Arthur Morris today: http://t.co/nj28vrzGGM pic.twitter.com/UMbOf3UjhR
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) August 22, 2015
Cricket Australia on Saturday paid tribute to Morris, who was Australia’s 24th captain, was inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame in 2001. Morris was at the non-striker’s end when Bradman was bowled for a duck by England’s Eric Hollies in his final Test innings, at the end of that 1948 Ashes series.
“Arthur Morris was a great man and one of the true greats of Australian cricket who until now had been a treasured connection to an extraordinary era of the game.
“When Australia’s best openers are discussed, his name will always be one of the first mentioned. An elegant, complete batsman, Arthur peaked in the late 1940s and was the most successful batsman during the series against England that would make him an Invincible.”
Edwards offered condolences on behalf of CA to Morris’ widow, Judith, and his extended family.
“He will be greatly missed but remembered forever,” Edwards said.