Dunsborough product Lance Morris makes long-awaited Australian debut in ODI series against West Indies

Dunsborough product Lance Morris made his long-awaited Australian debut on Friday, representing the country in a One Day International against the West Indies. The Busselton-born speedster — nicknamed the “Wild Thing” because of his ability to bowl at express pace — was handed Australia’s 245th one day cap by teammate Travis Head at the MCG on Friday. Thrown the new ball by captain Steve Smith, he bowled 10 wicket-less overs while conceding 59 runs. Morris grew up in the South West and played his junior cricket with Dunsborough Cricket Club before heading to Perth at the age of 17. The 25-year-old rocketed into national calculations on the back of an outstanding start to his State career, having claimed 74 wickets in his 22 Sheffield Shield career games at an elite strike rate of 42.4. He has been part of Australia’s Test squad for parts of the last two summers but is yet to receive a baggy green due to the durability of senior fast-bowling quartet Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland. Morris is also on the improve in white ball cricket, being named in the BBL13 team of the tournament after picking up 13 wickets across nine games for the Perth Scorchers, including a match-winning haul of 5-24 against the Adelaide Strikers on January 3. He was rotated out of the side for yesterday’s game at the SCG but is expected to figure in calculations for the third and final game of the series in Canberra on Wednesday, with Australia having an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. Captaining the side, the classy left-hander smashed 16 boundaries and one six in a knock of 107 from 188 balls, leading his team to a first innings total of 256. Fellow Bunbury junior Jayden Goodwin was promoted up the order to number three, but was dismissed without scoring.