Full Name

Samuel Morris

Born

June 22, 1855, Hobart, Tasmania

Died

September 20, 1931, Albert Park, Melbourne, Victoria, (aged 76y 90d)

Batting Style

Right hand Bat

Bowling Style

Right arm Medium

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

Sam Morris Career Stats

Batting & Fielding

FormatMatInnsNORunsHSAve100s50s4s6sCtSt
Tests1211410*14.00001000
FC2038559164*17.9005--130

Bowling

FormatMatInnsBallsRunsWktsBBIBBMAveEconSR4w5w10w
Tests111367322/732/7336.502.1468.0000
FC20-1806809315/21-26.092.6858.2-10
Samuel Morris

Explore Statsguru Analysis

Test

Debut/Last Matches of Sam Morris

FC Matches

Span
1881/82 - 1892/93

Recent Matches of Sam Morris

MatchBatBowlDateGroundFormat
Victoria vs Sheffield's7 & 00/2427-Nov-1891MelbourneFC
Victoria vs South Aust24 & 254/59 & 5/2111-Feb-1887MelbourneFC
Victoria vs NSW2 & 52/16 & 4/6627-Dec-1886MelbourneFC
Australia vs England4 & 10*2/7301-Jan-1885MelbourneTest # 18
Victoria vs South Aust4 & 64*4/82 & 1/5422-Feb-1884AdelaideFC