It has been nearly 65 years since the famous invincible side of Australia went through 1948 English summer undefeated. From the invincible team only two of the greats are still living. One is Neil Harvey, the pup of the invincible team and the other is the opening batsman Arthur Morris.
Last week at the Bradman museum it was sheer privilege to meet the great Arthur Morris who Bradman regarded with Barry Richards as the best opening batsman he has seen. Morris is now 90 years of age, the oldest living Australian cricketer.
During the two hours I shared with him it was thrill listening to him discuss various topics from Bradman to Bombay. I have compiled few of the answers which I thought would be interesting starting with Bradman.
When did you first meet Don Bradman ?
I was 9 years of age. My father was a school teacher in a suburb in northern Newcastle. Bradman was travelling for a sporting organisation and was in town having a coffee at shop right next to our place. I was outside in the front yard with no shoes and shorts and my dad said “come here and meet Don Bradman”. I went outside and said “how are you Mr Bradman”, I cant remember what Bradman said at the time. It was later on in life that I realised I had met finest cricketers and even extraordinary I played under his captaincy in 1946.
What was Bradman like as a man and as a captain ?
Bradman was very conscious of being a good role model not only in cricket but for whole of Australia. I remember him mentioning how important it was to tour to England in 1948 after the war. As a captain he encouraged the idea of playing against all the counties on that tour. In those days there use to be large crowds that came even for our matches against the counties. More people that came meant more money for local counties. Bradman thought this would assist in rebuilding cricket and lifestyle of people after the war.
There is so much said about the rift between O’Reilly and Bradman your comments ?
I get this question all the time since I got along with both Tiger and Bradman equally. It is like working for a multi-national organisation there will be two people who do not get along but there objective at the end of the day is ensure the organisation grows and makes profit. It does not mean they need to go home and spend time together after work. It was similar between Bradman and O’Rielly they had mutual respect on the field but had their own ways off the field. Both believe the other one was the best batsman or the bowler they ever played against.
You were the first person to score 100 in both innings of first class debut match (Only two people have done it since – Nari Contractor and Ajud Ahmed) ?
I don’t remember too many details about the actual innings but I remember I didn’t even have a bat of my own and had to burrow one from St – George club cricket kit. I played at St George club with Tiger O”reilly and he took me down the stair case of the pavilion and told me to pick out a bat I liked and use it for my first match for NSW. It proved to be a lucky bat.
The baggy green now has become such an iconic symbol was it similar in the past ? Did all the players discuss its value and the meaning of donning the baggy green ?
No not really, it was a privilege to play for Australia but the players did not really talk about the cap in such. There was the war and then all of the sudden you were playing for Australia and you would think to yourself what am I doing here. I was also extremely delighted too when I donned my NSW cap.
More to come in Part 2 ......
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