Tom Morton in full flow [Roy Honeybone]
Record run scorer Tom Morton has dismissed speculation linking him to a move away from South Wilts – but, as things stand, he doesn’t plan to play ECB Southern Premier Division cricket this summer.
The 37-years old plundered a new record 1,217 league runs for the Bemerton club last season, hitting five centuries along the way.
Though cricket remains his livelihood as Wiltshire’s Head of Pathway and head coach to Solent University’s promoted team in the British Universities Championship, Morton plans for a change at weekends.
“I’ve been playing top recreational cricket for 20 seasons. It’s been massively enjoyable and rewarding, but it’s very time consuming and in the past couple of years my family situation has changed,” he explained.
“I’ve got two very young, lively kids now, so I plan to spend some family time with them, with a few holidays and surfing trips to the beach.”
But Morton has no plans to hang up his bat or store his gear in the loft – and that’s not good news for Southern Premier Division 3 clubs, because what Saturday afternoon cricket he will play will be for South Wilts second team !
“I contemplated a move to a more local club, but when it came down to it, I couldn’t bring myself to leave South Wilts CC yet. It is a fantastic club who have been brilliant to me since I moved to the area, so I am happy playing in the twos or threes, wherever they want me.
“A big motivating factor for me was getting my game back to where it was before I got treated for thyroid cancer in 2020, so having achieved that, I now want to pursue some other hobbies I have.” he added.
Marvellous time
A fitness fanatic, Morton also plans to spend several Saturdays participating in triathlon events, which involve swimming, biking and running.
Alongside South Wilts team-mates Raff Hussey and Jack Mynott, Morton participated in a triathlon in Bournemouth last June and, after a gruelling morning, promptly drove to Bemerton and hit a match winning century against Bashley (Rydal).
He closed: “I’ve had a marvellous time playing Premier League cricket at South Wilts, celebrating five titles, and winning the Middlesex League with Ealing back in 2017, but time moves on, and stepping back it creates opportunities for others at the club.
“I think the Southern League has been a great environment to play in, and I move away from the top league having formed some great relationships with opponents, which I am very thankful for. The league has, generally speaking, maintained good values and I hope it continues in that way.
“My advice to any young player in the league is to really invest in league cricket, buy into trying to make your club a successful one and it’s amazing how much individual satisfaction and success you will experience along the way.”
“Ben Draper has a lot of good players to pick from and I gather there are some signings in the offing, so the club remains in a strong position.”
The 37-years old plundered a new record 1,217 league runs for the Bemerton club last season, hitting five centuries along the way.
Though cricket remains his livelihood as Wiltshire’s Head of Pathway and head coach to Solent University’s promoted team in the British Universities Championship, Morton plans for a change at weekends.
“I’ve been playing top recreational cricket for 20 seasons. It’s been massively enjoyable and rewarding, but it’s very time consuming and in the past couple of years my family situation has changed,” he explained.
“I’ve got two very young, lively kids now, so I plan to spend some family time with them, with a few holidays and surfing trips to the beach.”
But Morton has no plans to hang up his bat or store his gear in the loft – and that’s not good news for Southern Premier Division 3 clubs, because what Saturday afternoon cricket he will play will be for South Wilts second team !
“I contemplated a move to a more local club, but when it came down to it, I couldn’t bring myself to leave South Wilts CC yet. It is a fantastic club who have been brilliant to me since I moved to the area, so I am happy playing in the twos or threes, wherever they want me.
“A big motivating factor for me was getting my game back to where it was before I got treated for thyroid cancer in 2020, so having achieved that, I now want to pursue some other hobbies I have.” he added.
Marvellous time
A fitness fanatic, Morton also plans to spend several Saturdays participating in triathlon events, which involve swimming, biking and running.
Alongside South Wilts team-mates Raff Hussey and Jack Mynott, Morton participated in a triathlon in Bournemouth last June and, after a gruelling morning, promptly drove to Bemerton and hit a match winning century against Bashley (Rydal).
He closed: “I’ve had a marvellous time playing Premier League cricket at South Wilts, celebrating five titles, and winning the Middlesex League with Ealing back in 2017, but time moves on, and stepping back it creates opportunities for others at the club.
“I think the Southern League has been a great environment to play in, and I move away from the top league having formed some great relationships with opponents, which I am very thankful for. The league has, generally speaking, maintained good values and I hope it continues in that way.
“My advice to any young player in the league is to really invest in league cricket, buy into trying to make your club a successful one and it’s amazing how much individual satisfaction and success you will experience along the way.”
“Ben Draper has a lot of good players to pick from and I gather there are some signings in the offing, so the club remains in a strong position.”
