5 months ago
Hugh Morris, nan erstwhile England and Glamorgan batter and England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) main executive, has died astatine nan property of 62.
He was diagnosed pinch bowel crab successful January 2022 and, having returned to activity later that year, he near his domiciled arsenic Glamorgan main executive successful September 2023 to walk clip pinch his family arsenic he underwent treatment.
A prolific opening batter, Morris had 2 spells arsenic Glamorgan skipper and led nan region to nan Sunday League title successful 1993.
He besides won 3 afloat England caps and captained England A connected tours of South Africa, West Indies and Sri Lanka.
After retiring, nan Welshman spent 16 years successful various elder roles astatine nan ECB.
As main executive, he oversaw a highly successful play for nan England men's Test team, who won 3 consecutive Ashes series.
Morris returned to Wales arsenic Glamorgan's main executive and spent 9 years astatine his location county, helping trim debts and ensuring Sophia Gardens was nan location of a Hundred franchise pinch Welsh Fire based astatine nan Cardiff ground.
Morris was a patron of Heads Up, a kindness supporting investigation into caput and cervix cancer, aft surviving pharynx crab which was diagnosed successful 2002. His 2022 crab test was unrelated.
He was appointed MBE successful 2022 for services to cricket and kindness and, successful September 2024, Morris was inducted into nan Welsh Sports Hall of Fame.
Glamorgan main executive Dan Cherry, who succeeded Morris astatine nan club's helm, said: "Hugh holds a very typical spot successful nan history of Glamorgan Cricket arsenic good arsenic successful nan hearts of nan club's supporters for his efforts, some connected and disconnected nan field.
"He was a man of awesome power and a existent gentleman, whilst his achievements will unrecorded agelong successful nan club's grounds books and I uncertainty if immoderate batter successful immoderate region squad will ever surpass Hugh's seasonal grounds of 2,276 first-class runs.
"As a subordinate and administrator, Hugh led from nan beforehand and fearlessly fended disconnected immoderate thunderbolts opposing bowlers sent successful his direction.
"He inspired america pinch his actions, whether pinch nan bat successful manus aliases starring america successful nan field, too helping to prevention nan cash-stricken nine erstwhile foreclosure seemed a possibility, and yet inspiring each he met while bravely undergoing prolonged and challenging treatment.
"Hugh leaves america pinch an outstanding legacy, not slightest a stadium present astatine Sophia Gardens of world calibre – a acold outcry so from nan crushed erstwhile he first played for Glamorgan arsenic a teen - positive a Welsh Fire franchise poised for moreover greater occurrence successful nan cricketing scenery of nan 2020s and beyond.
"The club, Welsh cricket and nan crippled arsenic a full has mislaid a awesome player, a tireless administrator, and a good quality being of awesome dignity and integrity.
"Our thoughts and prayers astatine this tragic clip are pinch his woman Debbie, their copy daughters Bethan and Emily, positive Hugh's galore friends from crossed nan world of athletics and erstwhile colleagues passim nan cricketing world."
Former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri played pinch Morris during a four-year stint astatine Glamorgan and paid tribute to his erstwhile teammate: "Really gutted to perceive of nan passing of teammate and skipper Hugh Morris. Baanas, God bless your soul.
"You were honorable successful immoderate you did, and did a bloody bully job. Heartfelt condolences to nan family. Respect."
Former England wicketkeeper Jack Russell said: "Sad to perceive of nan passing of my aged team-mate Hugh Morris MBE.
"One of nan game's really bully guys will beryllium sadly missed #RIPHugh."
