Former England opener and respected cricket administrator Hugh Morris has passed away at the age of 62 following a long battle with cancer. Widely admired for his service to the game, Morris' legacy spans both his playing days and a highly influential administrative career in English and Welsh cricket.
Born in Cardiff in 1963, Morris was connected to Glamorgan and Welsh cricket from a young age. Diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2021, which later spread to his liver, Morris continued to remain involved
with the game for as long as his health allowed. He stepped down as Glamorgan’s chief executive in September 2023 to focus on treatment and family, having continued to work through much of his illness.
Morris made his first-class debut for Glamorgan at just 17 while still studying at Blundell’s School in Devon, where he had already made headlines by breaking batting records. He went on to enjoy a 17-season career with Glamorgan, scoring 19,785 first-class runs at an average of over 40. He captained the county on two occasions and led them to their first major silverware in 24 years with the Sunday League title in 1993.
In 1997 Glamorgan won the County Championship in his presence. Notably, Morris played a crucial role that season, scoring a century in the final match against Somerset. He retired later that year, having equalled the club record of 52 first-class centuries. Meanwhile, Morris represented England in three Tests during the 1991 summer, including two against a strong West Indies team. He also captained England A and Young England on overseas tours.
After retiring from playing, Morris moved into administration. He served the England and Wales Cricket Board for 16 years, becoming chief executive in 2007. His tenure coincided with one of England’s most successful periods in Test cricket, including three consecutive Ashes series wins and the 2010 World T20 triumph. He stepped down in 2013, a day after England completed a 3-0 Ashes whitewash.
He later returned to Glamorgan as chief executive at a time when the club faced severe financial difficulties. Under his leadership, the club was stabilised and returned to profit. He also played an important role in securing Sophia Gardens as the home of Welsh Fire in The Hundred. His contributions were formally recognised with an MBE in 2022, and he was inducted into the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame in 2024.
