Hugh Morris lifeless at 62: Ex-England cricketer and chief government passes away after battle with bowel most cancers
Former England batsman Hugh Morris has died aged 62 following a near-three year battle with bowel cancer.
Morris was diagnosed with the disease in January 2022 and, despite initially returning to work, left his role as Glamorgan chief executive in September 2023 to be with his loved ones as he underwent treatment.
A prolific opening batsman, Morris scored 19,785 runs and 53 hundreds in the County Championship for Glamorgan, where he had two spells as captain and led the county to the Sunday League title in 1993.
He also played three Tests for England in 1991, captaining the side on tours of South Africa, West Indies and Sri Lanka before later going on to serve as the chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board.
During his tenure, the England men’s Test team had one of their greatest-ever periods, winning three consecutive Ashes series. Morris resigned the day after the final victory in 2013.
Born in Cardiff, the Welshman then returned to Glamorgan, reducing the club’s debts in his role as chief executive as well as helping establish Sophia Gardens as the home of the Welsh Fire Hundred franchise.
Former England batsman Hugh Morris has died aged 62 following a battle with bowel cancer
Morris’s battle with bowel cancer marked the second time he had faced the disease, having previously been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2002.
After surviving the disease, his work as a patron of Heads Up – a charity supporting research into head and neck cancer – saw him later awarded an MBE for services to cricket and charity.
Morris was also inducted into the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame in September 2024, and is regarded as one of the country’s greatest-ever sportsmen.
A statement from Glamorgan read: ‘Glamorgan County Cricket Club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Glamorgan legend, trophy winning captain and former CEO Hugh Morris MBE.
‘Hugh was a hugely respected and much-admired figure within the game, whose contribution to cricket in England and Wales will be fondly remembered. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this very difficult time.’
This is a breaking news story and is being updated. More to follow.
