‘Emotional for me’: Tom Morris remembers late mum during 203no

Sports reporter Tom Morris reveals why his epic double-century for South Caulfield was tinged with sadness — and driven by determination.

Tom Morris raises his bat after reaching 200 for South Caulfield on Saturday.

Tom Morris says his late mother was with him throughout his magnificent knock of 203 not out for South Caulfield on Saturday.

The Channel Nine chief AFL reporter was full of determination as he and opening partner Brad Erasmus shared a record breaking 428-run partnership against St Brigids St Louis in Cricket Southern Bayside’s Championship division.

“It was quite emotional for me,’’ he said.

“My mum (Gilly) passed away in June. She had brain cancer. And she used to watch me play all the time — she loved watching me play.’’

Tom Morris batting for St Kilda. Picture: Derrick den Hollander

Morris made 98 (run out) in the last game of cricket his mum saw him play before she died.

He says he’s regretted not making a hundred that day.

“It burned me all winter, one of the little things that sort of got to me is that I knew it would be the last time she watched me play, and I stupidly ran myself out for 98,’’ he said.

“It probably affected me that I’d done that. Why couldn’t I have just made a hundred and a salute her?

“So I remember thinking to myself across winter when she was really unwell and then she passed away that I can’t bring her back but if there is ever a chance to make a big score, because I stuffed up when I ran myself out for 98 last March, I’ll try to do it.

“So she was actually on my mind throughout the innings (on Saturday) for sure.

“She would’ve been saying ‘keep going Tommy’, so she’s still very much with me all the way.”

Morris joined South Caulfield this season and says he’s enjoying the club.

A former St Kilda first XI batsman-keeper, he takes his cricket seriously.

On Saturday, he says a bit of sledging helped get him going.

“There was a bit of sledging…nothing serious but a bit a bit of chat about journalism and things like that, and that made me knuckle down as well,’’ he said.

“I thought I’m going to stick around for these guys now. They’re a good group of blokes.’’

Morris said for he and Erasmus to amass 0-428 was “surreal’’.

“I think I’m old enough now to put it into context, that it was just an experience that I’ll never have again and to share it with someone else as well was unreal,’’ he said.

Morris’ previous highest score was 153 — made when he was 15 for Malvern.

Tom Morris (left) and Brad Erasmus.

Morris started a new job with Channel Nine a fortnight ago.

“I’ve been really focused on my career the last month or so because I’ve started at Channel Nine only a couple of weeks ago,’’ he said.

“And I haven’t had a drink this year for example…I purposely just stayed off the alcohol completely just to knuckle down and focus on my work, get my career back on track because it’s been a difficult couple of years in that regard as well.

“The support from South Caulfield Cricket Club as well — Will Russell and Lewy Mildenhall are two of my best mates — it’s all just come together and makes me more motivated to do more for them.

“It’s a very good time.’’