James Morris - I love the challenge
Mulgrave Cricket Club | April 29, 2024
James Morris is a 6-foot-6 fast bowler who has quite the cricketing resume from a lifetime playing with his beloved Mulgrave Cricket Club.
Mulgrave Cricket Club competes in the Eastern Cricket Association competition in Melbourne, Victoria, and James has been with the club for 37 years.
James proudly made the Mulgrave Cricket Club's team of the century and is a Life Member of the club.
James represented Victoria in Over 50s Veterans Cricket, and his selection into the Australian Over 50s cricket team for the 2023 World Cup in South Africa was a rich reward. He is an active and valuable member of the Australian Over-50s team.
Sadly, a fire in the early 1990s destroyed Mulgrave Cricket Club's historical records, but James has taken well over 500 wickets for the club, so let’s find out more about James’s journey in the game.
Harcourts Judd White is a proud sponsor of the Mulgrave Cricket Club
What year you were born?
1972
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
I spent the majority of my first season as an eight-year-old only training as I was too young to play under 12’s according to the club rules. But I was able to play one game when the team was short during school holidays. I didn’t bat or bowl, but I’m sure I was very keen in the field.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
After playing under 12’s and 14’s at Brentwood Cricket Club, I moved to Mulgrave Cricket Club when I was 15. 37 seasons later and I am still playing at Mulgrave!
I was introduced to Veterans’ cricket at 40 by a mate who talked me into playing over 40’s with Mt Waverley Cricket Club. After five years that team stopped playing together. The same mate moved to Ferntree Gully Cricket Club, so I went and played five seasons of over 40’s there.
I now play O50’s at East Ringwood Cricket Club, as well as Saturday cricket with Mulgrave.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in senior cricket?
I played my first senior match in the 6th XI at Mulgrave when I was 15. I believe I made 46 and took 2 wickets.
What was the highest grade you played, and can you remember how you performed in your first game in that grade?
I played in the Dunstan Shield for 20+ years at Mulgrave which is the top grade of the Eastern Cricket Association. My first 1st XI match was against Surrey Hills Cricket Club, and I took around 2/15 off about 10 overs.
James Morris bowling against Ashburton in the 2005 at Mulgrave Reserve
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
I am a right-arm fastish bowler.
What were your strengths as a player?
Consistency, accuracy…and my height.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
I scored 100 not out in a lower grade at Mulgrave, while my highest score in the 1st XI was 56*.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
I have taken 7 wickets in an innings on a number of occasions at Mulgrave, however I could never get to 8 wickets.
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Sean Cary - was a big wicket-taker for Mont Albert for a couple of seasons after he finished up in Western Australia.
Cam Carey - took wickets for fun for many years for Ashburton.
Graeme Angus - In 1996/97 we were caught on a green pitch twice in the grand final against Bulleen, and he inflicted many bruises in that match.
James Morris bowling against New Zealand in the 2023 Over 50s World Cup
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Greg Knight – a quality leggie for Bulleen and the best spinner in the competition for many years.
Clint Wilson – was actually a Mulgrave player who played for Ashwood Cricket Club for a couple of years and likes to remind us that he dismissed Asanka Gurusinha twice while at Ashwood (Asanka played two seasons at Mulgrave)
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Phil Mustard - played the best innings I’ve seen against us when he was an import for Bulleen (although we got him for a golden duck in the semi final that year!).
Paul Collingwood – another import who played with Bulleen, he ended up having a fair career.
Leigh Parsons – quality opening bat for Deepdene who made many runs for them.
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
The best innings I’ve been involved with was 166 not out by Jarrod Bradley in our 2003/04 Grand Final against Ashburton (the second of our five consecutive premierships). This was also the match that I made 56 not out, and our partnership took the score from 9/210 to 9/375 off our allotted 120 overs. We dismissed Ashburton for 329 to win the match.
Was there any bowler in particular who whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
As a lower order bat, too many to name! However, I did love being able to frustrate bowlers by keeping them out in the field late in the innings.
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to in grade cricket?
To be honest, I’ve always enjoyed the challenge of having to step up, be it moving into senior cricket, starting in the 1st XI, or playing representative cricket.
Obviously representing Australia in over 50’s cricket is a great challenge, playing against the best over 50’s players in the world.
Seven Mulgrave Cricket players who played in 5 grand finals for the club. Photo was taken after the 2006-07 grand final against Mont Albert
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Simon Street was a great wicket keeper at Mulgrave during our premiership years.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
The two best players I played with were Jarrod Bradley and David Flintoff.
The most competitive was John Murphy.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
I’ve been fortunate to play under a number of excellent captains and I wouldn’t want to single one of them out ahead of the others.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Many of these over the years, however I think that it’s even more prevalent in vet’s cricket. Because everyone is playing for the love of the game, the humour (and sledging) directed at teammates is non-stop.
I enjoy the continuing banter between Scott Gillespie, Michael Reed, Stuart Kranzbuhler and Darren Carter, all of who I played vets with at Ferntree Gully Cricket Club.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
Not technically on the field, but playing vets at Ferntree Gully Cricket, one of our batsmen (I won’t name you Darren Carter) played a rather slow innings and was promptly nicknamed Pac-Man. Two weeks later Gray-Nicolls (where Stu Kranzbuhler happens to work) placed a Pac-Man bat on their socials…
Who was your childhood hero?
As a Collingwood Football Club supporter, the first number I had on my back was number 30 (Peter Moore).
In cricket, it was definitely Dennis Lillee and Greg Chappell.
If it counts, I also read everything I could find on Sir Donald Bradman and all of the players from that era.
Dennis Lillee
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Michael Jordan, Scott Pendlebury, Sir Donald Bradman (going to be hard I know!)
Sir Donald Bradman
What was your favourite ground to play at?
After 37 years playing at Mulgrave Cricket Club, Mulgrave Reserve is a definite favourite.
The over 50’s nationals Grand Final was played at the Junction Oval this season, which was great to play at, while some of the grounds in Cape Town were amazingly picturesque.
What there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
Ashburton and Mont Albert were huge rivals during my time at Mulgrave. They were always competitive matches, sometimes a little fiery, and you knew that you had to be playing at your best to win.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
I’ve mentioned the partnership I was involved with in our 2003/04 Grand Final win – as a bowler it was nice to have an impact with the bat! And winning five consecutive 1st XI premierships was great.
Representing Victoria and then Australia in over 50’s cricket has been a highlight.
But having the opportunity to play in two consecutive 2nd XI premierships with my son Josh in recent years is hard to top.
Josh and James
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Any premiership you play in is great, and I’ve been fortunate to play in a number of them.
Most recently, being part of the Australian over 50’s team that won the Quad series in New Zealand was pretty special.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
It’s hard to name just three players…how about just any premiership reunion.
I will mention Paul McRedmond who I always enjoy catching up with.
You’re now playing over 50s cricket, what’s the best part of playing veterans cricket and what advice would you offer anyone over 50 who is thinking about playing again?
If you’re thinking about it, all I can say is just do it! You get to play cricket against people who love the game of cricket just as much you do. Whatever your standard there is a grade to play, and the camaraderie amongst all over 50’s players (local, state, national and international) can’t be topped.
You’ve played for the Australian Over 50s cricket team. What did it mean to you personally to be selected in the Australian Over 50s team and how have you found the experience?
Playing for Australia in over 50’s cricket has been an incredible honour. And an honour that I never thought was a possibility.
I knew a number of people who had played for Victoria at the over 50’s nationals, so when I was approaching 50 I set my goal of playing for Victoria. But I had no idea that it would lead to playing for Australia, and having the opportunity to play around the world.
Receiving my baggy green cap from David Roach was an emotional experience, and I have now also had the pleasure of presenting a baggy green cap to Allan Pearce. Standing side-by-side with my teammates wearing the Australian blazer while singing the national anthem is amazing.
On the field, I am loving having the opportunity to test myself against the best over 50’s players in the world.
James Morris receive his Australian Over 50s cap from David Roach
What are your hobbies?
Cricket is obviously right up there. And during the winter you will always find me at Collingwood football matches. I also love live music, and prior to current cricket commitments loved taking the caravan away with the family.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Don’t forget to nominate for Australia over 50’s selection.
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
Apart from playing, and helping out at training, I have no official role at the moment. I play in whichever team is deemed best for Mulgrave, providing some experience to the younger players.
Over the years at Mulgrave I have been President, Treasurer, junior coach for a number of years, and captained teams.
If you were running a state cricket association what would your 2 priorities to ensure cricket in the state remained strong and successful on and off the field?
Don’t be afraid to look outside the traditional pathways for players.
Don’t forget Veterans cricket!
