Former England cricketer and respected cricket administrator Hugh Morris has died at the age of 62 after a long battle with bowel cancer. On Sunday, the news was verified by Glamorgan County Cricket Club and it was a very emotional moment within English and Welsh Cricket.
As an England opener with a phenomenal record in three Tests, Morris was also one of the key figures in the golden era at Glamorgan in the 1990s. He led the Welsh county side to County Championship in the year 1997, the first in the history of the club, which is to date one of the most proud moments of the club. A year later he retired his playing career.
During his time in domestic career, Morris had established an exemplary record in first-class cricket. He also managed to score 19,785 runs at a phenomenal average of 40.29 establishing a reputation of consistency, leadership and technical brilliance in the top of the order.
Morris moved easily into the field of administration in cricket after quitting the game. He worked 16 years with England and Wales Cricket Board, holding various top positions among them that of Chief Executive. His effort in the time was instrumental in influencing the shape of the modern English cricket.
Morris came back to Glamorgan in the year 2013 as Chief Executive when the club was seriously struggling with financial difficulties. Glamorgan was brought back on her feet, and with increased confidence stepped forward under his leadership. He played a central role in transforming the Sophia Gardens stadium to an international quality stadium and also in making Welsh Fire a force to reckon with in the Hundred competition.
In tribute, present Glamorgan chief executive, Dan Cherry, said Morris was an iconic cricketer, an administrative and highly integrity person. Cherry also brought out the long term contribution of Morris to Welsh cricket by saying that his vision has placed the club and the sport in a much better position going forward.
The legacy that Hugh Morris leaves behind him is one marked much more than his runs and records, a legacy of leadership, service and a lifetime devotion to the game.
