Fred Morley

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Fred Morley
England (Eng)
Fred Morley
Batting style Left hand bat
Bowling type Left arm fast
Tests First-class
Matches 4 232
Runs scored 6 1,404
Batting average 1.50 5.40
100s/50s 0/0 0/0
Top score 2* 31
Balls bowled 972 53,621
Wickets 16 1,274
Bowling average 18.50 13.43
5 wickets in innings 1 119
10 wickets in match 0 36
Best bowling 5/56 8/26
Catches/stumpings 4/0 109/0

Test debut: 6 September 1880
Last Test: 21 February 1883
Source: [1]

Frederick ("Fred") Morley (born 16 December 1850 in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, England; died 28 September 1884 in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, England) was a professional cricketer who was reckoned to be the fastest bowler in England during his prime. During a 13 year career for Nottinghamshire and England he took 1,274 wickets at an average of 13.73.

In 1879/80 Morley toured North America with Richard Daft, and in 1880 he was selected to play in the match that later became known as England's first Test match, taking 8 for 146. He toured Australia in 1882/3 as part of the Honourable Ivo Bligh's side that aimed to recover the Ashes. However, he was hampered by an injury to his rib that he picked up when the team's ship was involved in a collision in the harbour at Colombo, and his subsequent bowling performances were poor. He never recovered from his injuries and died of congestion and dropsy in September 1884.

He was married to Hannah, a seamstress, and they had at least three children, Sarah, Harold and Allen. His name was registered at birth as Frederic Morley.

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