Bruce Morrison, a dedicated member of Wellington cricket and a one-Test Blackcap, has passed away aged 91 on the 23rd of September, 2025.

Born on 17 December 1933, Morrison’s career in the game spanned over a decade at the top level and a lifetime of service to the sport off the field. A left-handed batter and right-arm medium-fast bowler, he played 47 first-class matches for Wellington between the 1953/54 and 1964/65 seasons, claiming 163 wickets, a tally that was the sixth-highest for the province at the time and remains 12th on the all-time list.

Morrison made a stunning debut for Wellington in 1953/54, taking 4-70 and then 7-42 against Otago at the Basin Reserve. He went on to add another seven-wicket haul at the Basin two seasons later, returning 7-68 against Central Districts. His best with the bat came in January 1955 at Carisbrook, where his top score of 37 proved vital in helping Wellington secure a narrow two-wicket win over Otago.

In the late 1950s and first half of the 1960s, Bruce shared many memorable moments with fellow seamer Bob Blair, forming a partnership that became a familiar and much-admired sight for Wellington cricket supporters.

His consistency at domestic level earned him a New Zealand Test Team call-up in March 1963, when he was selected for the second Test against England at the Basin Reserve. Coming into the side for the injured Dick Motz, Morrison dismissed England captain Ted Dexter and Peter Parfitt in the same over, a rare highlight in what would be his only Test appearance, as Motz returned for the third match of the series.

A product of the Hutt Valley, Morrison enjoyed success at club level for both Wellington and Hutt Valley clubs. Between 1955 and 1958 with Karori he captured 122 wickets, including best figures of 8-31. In the 1955/56 season he led all bowlers in Wellington club cricket with 69 wickets at an average of just 13.56, earning him the Ron Murray Cup for Senior Bowler of the Year. He later returned to the Hutt Valley for the 1958/59 season.

Morrison was named Wellington Cricketer of the Year in 1962/63, recognition of his sustained excellence across nearly a decade. His influence extended long after his playing days, serving as a Wellington selector from 1975 to 1978, being elected a Vice President of the Wellington Cricket Association in 1978, and ultimately being made a Life Member of Cricket Wellington in 2010. Throughout these years Bruce remained involved with the game, coaching and selecting for both age-grade, domestic and national teams.

Across the span of his career and contributions, Morrison was admired for his skill, dedication, and love for the game. His passing marks the loss of one of Cricket Wellington's enduring figures.

He is remembered not only for his wicket-taking feats and brief but memorable appearance in the New Zealand Test Shirt, but also for his lifelong commitment to the game and community that surrounded it.

Cricket Wellington's thoughts are with Bruce's family and loved ones at this time.

Article added: Wednesday 24 September 2025