The pleasant journey to Erina, a picturesque sea-side town 82km from Sydney, was filled with expectations. After all, this correspondent was slated to meet a cricketing giant with a treasure trove of timeless memories.
It was January 2015, and Arthur Morris, only a few days shy of his 93rd birthday, had granted The Hindu time for a rare interview.
The door of the quaint cottage Morris lived in was opened by his friendly wife Judith. His body might have been aging but his mind was fresh and smile infectious.
A vital member of Don Bradman’s immortal all-conquering team of 1948, an in-form Morris was at the other end when Bradman was bowled by leg-spinner Eric Hollies for nought in his last Test innings.
The venue was the Oval and the Don walked into the middle for the final time.
“There was silence in the ground when Hollies bowled Bradman with a wrong ‘un. He had bowled a couple of leg-spinners earlier. The War was over, and the crowds in that series came to see Bradman play. They were stunned,” Morris recollected.
A left-handed opener of impressive footwork and technique, Morris went on to make 196 on what he called a “wet wicket” during that innings.
On that historic tour, Morris, strong with his cuts and pulls and imperious cover drives, notched up 696 runs at 87.00.
It was the only occasion in 20 years that Bradman had been outscored in a series.
During that campaign of incredible Aussie feats, Morris (182) and Bradman (173 not out) donned major roles as Australia chased down a then world record target of 404 at Leeds in less than a day.
Footwork enabled Morris thrive on demanding pitches. He said: “You get back to go forward. You should have that little movement in your back leg to set it up.
“You cannot get committed on the front foot. You have to dictate terms to the bowlers with your footwork, not allow them to dominate you.”
A member of the Australian team of the century, he has his place in the pantheon of greats. Morris’ demise leaves the great Neil Harvey as the only other surviving member of the ‘Invincibles’.
The genial Morris will be missed.
