Forgotten speedster Lance Morris made an impressive return from injury as Western Australia went down to England in the tourists’ warm-up game before their white-ball series with Australia.
Morris, who was on the verge of a baggy green cap when he was picked in Australia’s squad against South Africa in the 2022/23 summer, hadn’t played since March 2025 after undergoing spinal surgery and suffering from a side strain.
But hitting speeds of up to 145 km/h, the 28-year-old, also known as the “Wild Thing” for his extreme pace, made a triumphant return with figures of 3/29 from his 10 overs in WA’s 92-run loss.
Morris made a dream start with just his second ball when England opener Tom Banton edged to slip.
His pace saw Joe Root sky an attempted pull shot to be caught by emerging quick Mahli Beardman, who has been named in Australia’s ODI and T20I squads for six matches against England beginning on November 13.
He later added a third when Gus Atkinson was also caught by Bancroft in the 44th over.
England managed 251 on the back of an impressive 59 from opener Ben Duckett, as well as three consecutive sixes from captain Harry Brook – including one that made its way into the WACA’s new pool facility.
It was a target that proved too much for the Warriors as Adil Rashid’s four-wicket haul saw the hosts bowled out for 159.
Emerging all-rounder Corey Wasley top-scored with a 34-ball 41, including two sixes, while Bancroft managed 32 at the top of the order.
But the sight of Morris fit and firing again was clearly the major positive out of WA’s day, with England coach Brendon McCullum saying the quick was “very impressive”.
“Especially for someone who has been off the scene for a while, to come back and to be able to locate the zone that he was wanting in terms of his length and then utilise his bounce the way he did (was impressive),” he said.
“He bowled good pace and obviously got the rewards. He bowled a beautiful 10 overs.”
“It’s exciting for all Australian cricket fans,” Turner said of Morris’ first game back.
“I think it has been well documented that we are always looking to unearth the next scary fast bowler, and no doubt Lance falls into that category. With that in mind, I would probably urge some patience.
WA coach Beau Casson said post-match the goal was to have Morris back in the Sheffield Shield team before the season halts for the Big Bash League in early December, but that “reckless risks” wouldn’t be taken.
“He’s had a torrid run of injuries,” Casson said.
“I’m really proud of him – it’s been a long process to get him to where he is right now. We’re going to be patient.”
Patience was also the mantra WA captain Ashton Turner delivered pre-game.
“We have seen historically it takes fast bowlers some time to build back into their skill as are the physical demands of bowling really fast,” he said.
“There are not really many people in the world who can do it, and Lance is one of the few.”
The news isn’t so good for England, with fast bowler Josh Tongue ruled out of their white-ball tour of Australia with a toe injury.
Tongue arrived in Perth last week ahead of England’s three-match ODI and five-game T20 series, but sat out their 92-run one-day warm-up win over Western Australia on Saturday.
“Josh Tongue has been ruled out of the white-ball tour of Australia due to a left big toe injury,” team officials said. “Tongue will return to the UK to undergo further assessment.”
Batter Jacob Bethell, who is returning from knee surgery, also missed the game.
It is England’s first time back in Australia since being crushed 4-1 in the 2025-26 Ashes Test series.