UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Hugh Morris, former England player and ex-ECB boss, aged 62, died after battling cancer, remembered for his cricketing and administrative contributions.
As reported by the BBC, former England and Glamorgan batsman and ex-England and Wales Cricket Board chief Hugh Morris has died at 62.
How did Hugh Morris die, and what was his legacy in cricket?
Hugh Morris was diagnosed with bowel cancer in January 2022. He returned to his duties later that year but resigned as Glamorgan chief executive in September 2023 to undergo treatment and spend time with his family.
A leading opener, Morris had two stints as Glamorgan captain and guided the team to the 1993 Sunday League championship.
He won three full England caps and captained England A on tours of South Africa, the West Indies, and Sri Lanka. Following his playing career, the Welshman spent 16 years in senior roles at the ECB.
During his tenure as chief executive, he presided over a highly successful period for the England men’s Test team, which secured three consecutive Ashes series victories.
After returning to Wales as Glamorgan’s chief executive, he spent nine years in his home county, helping reduce debts and securing Sophia Gardens as the home of the Welsh Fire Hundred franchise in Cardiff.
Following surviving throat cancer in 2002, he became a patron of Heads Up, a charity funding research into head and neck cancer, and was awarded an MBE 20 years later for his contributions to cricket and charity.
The 2024 Welsh Sports Hall of Fame inducted Morris, who could not attend the ceremony due to a family wedding.
Morris was genuinely surprised when presented with the award at his local club, showing the same humility and warmth that marked his remarkable career.
Dan Cherry, who took over as Glamorgan chief executive following Morris, now leads the club.
He said,
“Hugh holds a very special place in the history of Glamorgan Cricket as well as in the hearts of the club’s supporters for his efforts, both on and off the field. He was a man of great energy and a true gentleman, whilst his achievements will live long in the club’s record books and I doubt if any batter in any county team will ever surpass Hugh’s seasonal record of 2,276 first-class runs.”
He added,
“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. Our thoughts and prayers at this tragic time are with his wife Debbie, their twin daughters Bethan and Emily, plus Hugh’s many friends from across the world of sport and former colleagues throughout the cricketing world.”
What was the full scorecard of Hugh Morris’ cricket journey?
Hugh Morris played 3 Tests for England in 1991, scoring 115 runs with a highest score of 44. In a 17-year county career primarily with Glamorgan, he amassed 19,785 first-class runs at an average of 40.29, including 53 centuries. His highest score was an unbeaten 233.
Morris captained Glamorgan to the Sunday League title in 1993 and was part of their County Championship-winning side in 1997.
He later served as the Managing Director of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) from 2007 to 2013, a period that included three Ashes series wins.