CWI Pays Tribute To Jamaica’s Ex-Test Star McMorris
Easton “Bull” McMorris, a former Jamaica captain and opening batsman for the West Indies, has passed on at the age of 86 years.
The St. Andrew-born right-hander proved to an outstanding captain for Jamaica, which included capturing the prestigious Shell Shield. He retired from the first-class game with 5,906 runs from 95 matches.
A Test level he struggled with the slower and greener pitches on two Tours to England in 1963 and 1966 respectively, averaging only 13.38 runs from four Test appearances.
However, he was in the runs during his other nine Tests between 1958 and 1966, scoring 564 runs at an average of 26.85 runs. His only century, 125 against India, was bagged on home soil at Kingston’s Sabina Park in 1962.
McMorris’ Test debut for West Indies against Pakistan, at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad, was daunting as the team included such stellar stars as the Barbados trio of Conrad Hunte, Garfield Sobers and Everton Weekes – who all have been given the title Sir since. McMorris finished with scores of 13 and 16.
His Test career made a stuttering start, with his second appearance ending in disaster against England in Bridgetown, Barbados in 1960. He was sent back to the pavilion without facing a ball after being run out at the non-striker’s end.
An injury meant that McMorris missed the 2nd Test against England, but he returned in style for the 3rd Test with an elegant knock of 73 in Jamaica that was followed by a single in the second innings. This half-century was not enough to be selected for the 1960-61 tour of Australia.
He was recalled for the visit of India in 1961-62 and grabbed his chance at the crease. After a magnificent century in Jamaica, he notched a pair of half-centuries at Port of Spain in Trinidad.
Average showing on two tours to England spelt the end of his Test career, but for Jamaica he continued to pile on the runs and hung up his bat with 18 centuries for the islanders.
After retiring from the game McMorris was awarded the Order of Distinction in 1972, was a board member of the Jamaica Cricket Association and manager of the Jamaica cricket team. He died on 1 February, having recently been taken ill.
Ricky Skerritt, the Cricket West Indies (CWI) president, said: “Easton was a true stalwart of the game and contributed significantly at all levels, on and off the field.
“He was a leader at the Lucas Cricket Club, carrying on the legacy established by the great George Headley.
“On behalf of CWI, I want to send condolences to his family and the entire cricket fraternity in Jamaica.”
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