Danny Morrison, a small man for a fast bowler, came into the New Zealand
side to share the new ball with Sir Richard Hadlee. He then had the
unenviable tasking of taking over as his country's spearhead when the
great man retired but injury restricted his appearances in the latter
part of his career. He had been playing for Auckland for just one season
when he was chosen to tour Sri Lanka in 1986-87. In Australia in
1987-88 he took 4-86 on his first appearance against Australia, then
5-69 against England at Christchurch, also in 1987-88. Morrison's best
performances came in the mid 1990s. He took 7-89 against Australia in
Wellington in 1992-93 and 6-37 in the following Test in Auckland when
New Zealand won by five wickets. He took 6-96 against the West Indies in
Christchurch in 1995-96, and 5-61 on the batsman friendly wicket at
St.John's in Antigua in the return series. He was in the New Zealand
side which toured England in 1994 but broke down in the ODIs which
preceded the Test Series. Despite being noted for his inability to score
in many Test innings he batted through the last session to deny England
victory in his last Test. He played in three World Cups, although he
played only one match against India in 1986. In l992 he appeared in the
semi-final and took 3-42 against Pakistan in Christchurch. He played one
season in England's county championship in 1992, topping the bowling
averages for Lancashire with 36 wickets at 33.58. (Bob Harragan) |