The cricket world is in mourning following the death of Hugh Morris, the former England and Glamorgan batter who later became a pivotal administrator for the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). He was 62 years old.
From Prolific Batter to Influential Leader
Born in Cardiff in 1963, Hugh Morris carved out a distinguished career in the sport. He became Glamorgan’s youngest ever captain at just 22 and later led the county to the Sunday League title in 1993, their first trophy in 24 years. His 17-year playing career concluded in 1997 with a County Championship victory for Glamorgan, having amassed 19,785 first-class runs at an average of 40.29.
Morris earned three Test caps for England in 1991 and captained the England A team on several tours. After hanging up his bat, he seamlessly transitioned into off-field roles, becoming a central figure at the ECB.
A Transformative Tenure at the ECB
Morris served as England’s first managing director from 2007 to 2013, a period marked by remarkable success for the national team. His tenure oversaw:
- The men’s team rising to number one in the Test rankings.
- Three Ashes series victories.
- Winning the 2010 ICC T20 World Cup.
He returned to south Wales in 2013, serving as Glamorgan’s chief executive for nine years and playing a key role in developing Sophia Gardens into an international-standard venue.
Tributes to a ‘Fine Human Being’
The news of his passing, following a diagnosis of bowel cancer in 2022, has prompted an outpouring of grief and respect from across the cricket community.
Dan Cherry, his successor as Glamorgan chief executive, said: “Everyone here at Glamorgan County Cricket Club and further afield are devastated... The club, Welsh cricket and the game as a whole has lost a great player, a tireless administrator, and a fine human being of great dignity and integrity.”
ECB chair Richard Thompson described Morris as a “true giant of our game” who played a “transformative role”. Former India all-rounder Ravi Shastri, a teammate at Glamorgan, expressed he was “really gutted”, praising Morris’s honesty and the good job he did.
Morris, who previously overcame throat cancer in 2002, was a dedicated charity patron, helping to raise £300,000 for head and neck cancer causes. He was awarded an MBE in 2022 for his services to cricket and charity.
