Fred Morley

Fred Morley Biography

Morley was one of the fastest bowlers in England. And bowling left-arm, he made the ball leave the batsman at an awkward angle.

That was all his cricket was about. He could not bat, averaging 5.40 in his First-Class career. And he was rather ordinary in the field. But he could make the best of them uncomfortable with his pace and angle laced with nagging accuracy.

Seven times he crossed 100 wickets in a season, going as far as 197 in 1878. That included 15 for 35 against Kent. When he played Australia at The Oval in the inaugural Test in England, he was an architect of the English victory, capturing 5 for 56 and 3 for 90.

After 109 wickets at 11.89 in 1882, he was an automatic choice for the Australian tour under Ivo Bligh. But as the cricketers voyaged to the distant shores, the Peshawar collided with Glenroy in the harbour of Colombo. Morley fractured a couple of ribs.

He never really recovered. After a below-par series in Australia, he returned to England. His health deteriorated and this superb fast bowler passed away due to congestion and dropsy in the summer of 1884. In 4 Tests, Morley had 18 wickets at 18.50. In 232 First-Class matches, his tally stood at 1274 at 13.42 apiece.

He was the second Fred to die an untimely death among those who played in the 1880 Test at The Oval.

Arunabha Sengupta

Fred Morley Batting & Fielding Averages

Career

Avg

100s

50s

Test

ODIs

T20s

World Cup

Fred Morley Bowling Averages

Career	M	B	R	W	Avg	EC	SR	5WI	10WM	BBI	BBM
Test	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--
ODIs	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--
T20s	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--
World Cup	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--		--