OTD in 1947 | The birth of John Morrison, the New Zealand opening batter and occasional left-arm spinner

On August 27, 1947, John Francis Maclean Morrison was born in Wellington, New Zealand, marking the beginning of a notable career both on and off the cricket field. Morrison, who went on to become a distinguished cricketer and later a prominent local politician, has left an indelible mark on New Zealand’s sporting and political landscape.

Morrison’s cricketing career was distinguished by his role as a right-handed opening batter and occasional left-arm spinner. He began making waves in domestic cricket with Wellington, but it was his standout performance in the 1972–73 season that truly set him apart. 

Morrison scored an unbeaten 180 against Northern Districts, a knock that remained his highest first-class score and earned him selection for the New Zealand squad on their tour of Australia. During the 1973-74 series, Morrison emerged as the leading run-scorer across both teams, amassing 249 runs at an average of 41.50. 

His memorable innings of 117 in the Second Test at Sydney remains his sole Test century. Despite this promising start, Morrison struggled to maintain his form in subsequent matches, although he continued to contribute to the team’s success, including a notable performance on the International Wanderers XI tour of South Africa in 1975–76.

Morrison’s journey to politics 

Morrison’s cricketing prowess extended to his occasional left-arm spin bowling, including his ‘mystery’ delivery, which added an extra dimension to his game. His most significant bowling performance came in a first-class match against Auckland in the 1977–78 season, where he claimed 5 for 69 and contributed 106 runs in a thrilling encounter that ended with Wellington narrowly missing out on victory.

Following his retirement from cricket, Morrison transitioned into a successful career in local politics. He served as a Wellington City Councillor from 1998 to 2013, making significant contributions to the city, including efforts to bring Australian Rules football to Wellington and securing call-center jobs through strategic business deals. 

His political career culminated in an unsuccessful bid for the mayoralty in 2013, after which he continued to engage in various roles, including business development. In recognition of his contributions to cricket and the community, Morrison was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2009 Queen’s Birthday Honors. As we celebrate John Morrison’s birthday today, we honor his multifaceted career and enduring legacy in New Zealand cricket and politics.

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