Australian Test Cricket Legend Arthur Morris, a key member of Don Bradman’s 1948 ‘Invincibles’ side, has died aged 93. Arthur Morris, a opening batsman who so regularly helped provided a solid platform for No.3 batsman Don Bradman to thrive during Australian cricket’s golden era. Morris was one of the two surviving members of the ‘Invincibles’, who went through the entire 1948 tour – 31 first-class matches – without losing once. Neil Harvey, 86, another left-handed batting great, is the only remaining player from that squad.
The left-handed opener scored 3,533 runs in 46 Tests at an average of 46.48 and was named in Australia’s team of the century in 2000. Morris was leading run-scorer on the 1948 tour of England, and scored 196 at The Oval – an innings overshadowed by Bradman’s duck in his farewell innings.
His most productive partnership came with Bradman. In the 13 times they batted together their average partnership was 104.4. While only two of those were century stands they were both monsters: 223 unbeaten against India at the MCG in 1947-48 and 301 against England in Leeds in 1948.
Facts about Don Bradman
- Don Bradman hit just six sixes in his Test career, five v. England and one v. India. He also hit two fives and a staggering 618 fours in Test cricket.
- Bradman’s highest score in first class cricket was 452 not out for New South Wales against Queensland at the SCG in January 1930.
- Bradman played only one series against South Africa, finishing with 806 runs at an average of 201.50.
- In addition to his highest score of 452 not out, Bradman scored 5 triple centuries during his career.
- Knighted in 1949. The only Australian cricketer ever to receive a knighthood and the first Test cricketer so honoured.
Test Your Knowledge
Name the only Indian Cricket player who was named among Sir Don Bradman’s dream World XI?
