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Sam Morris      

Full name Samuel Morris

Born June 22, 1855, Hobart, Tasmania

Died September 20, 1931, Albert Park, Melbourne, Victoria (aged 76 years 90 days)

Major teams Australia, Victoria

Batting style Right-hand bat

Bowling style Right-arm medium

Batting and fielding averages
Mat Inns NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 4s 6s Ct St
Tests 1 2 1 14 10* 14.00 0 0 1 0 0 0
First-class 20 38 5 591 64* 17.90 0 5 13 0
Bowling averages
Mat Inns Balls Runs Wkts BBI BBM Ave Econ SR 4w 5w 10
Tests 1 1 136 73 2 2/73 2/73 36.50 3.22 68.0 0 0 0
First-class 20 1806 809 31 5/21 26.09 2.68 58.2 1 0
Career statistics
Only Test Australia v England at Melbourne, Jan 1-5, 1885 scorecard
Test statistics
First-class span 1881/82 - 1892/93
Profile

Sam Morris was the first black Test cricketer and the only one to play for Australia. He was born in Tasmania, according to some reports the son of West Indian parents attracted by the gold-rush, became recognised as a wicket-keeper there and moved into first-class cricket as a batsman and medium-paced bowler after becoming appointed curator at the St Kilda ground in Melbourne. He played his only Test, at Melbourne in 1884-85, after the entire team from the previous Test had pulled out after a row about their share of the gate money. The team was predictably beaten buf Morris dismissed two of England's top three and opened the batting in the first innings, when he was out for four. He remained a regular player for Victoria for the next eight years. He was curator at South Melbourne for 30 years from 1887, giving up only when he lost his sight.
Wisden Cricketers' Almanack

Sam Morris played one Test in 1884-85 - he took two wickets, Arthur Shrewsbury and Billy Barnes and his fielding was outstanding, but England routed Australia by 10 wickets and he was not picked again. He played 19 matches for Victoria and was a successful club cricketer with Richmond and South Melbourne. Failing eyesight led to his retirement in 1898, although he was already winning a reputation as a capable groundsman. That career, too, was cut short and by 1910 he was blind, although he continued to follow cricket with great enthusiasm.
Cricinfo staff

Country Fixtures Country Results
Tasmania v South Aust at Hobart
Nov 24-27 (10:30 local, 23:30 GMT)
Western Aust v NSW at Perth
Nov 25 (11:15 local, 03:15 GMT)
1st Test: Australia v West Indies at Brisbane
Nov 26-30 (10:00 local, 00:00 GMT)
Victoria v Queensland at Melbourne
Nov 27-30 (11:00 local, 00:00 GMT)
Western Aust v NSW at Perth
Nov 27-30 (10:30 local, 02:30 GMT)
Complete fixtures »
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