Photographic Memory

The flight of Icarus

John Morris on the incident that ended his international career



Loading ...

John Morris: Not a day goes by without someone somewhere mentioning the fly-by incident to me. David Gower and I were playing in the game against Queensland during the Ashes tour of Australia in 1990-91. We were both out by lunch on the second day. I had managed to score a hundred and was feeling quite pleased with myself. At lunch I overheard Gower talking to Allan Lamb, saying he was going to fly in one of the planes parked nearby. I said I would join him and off we went. It was a bit of fun and we were gone from the ground for about 20 minutes. I was fined £1000 and never played for England again - even though my last innings was 132. The crime didn't fit the punishment. Photograph by Adrian Murrell/Getty Images

John MorrisDavid GowerEnglandQueensland vs England XIEngland tour of Australia