IPL record breaker and ex-Hastings Priory player Morris begins Rajasthan Royals career with defeat

Chris Morris batting for Hastings Priory back in 2008. Picture courtesy of Jake Badger

The South African bowler, who was Priory's overseas player during the 2008 Sussex Cricket League season, became the most expensive signing in IPL history on February 18.

The 33-year-old was snapped up by Rajasthan Royals at the 2021 player auction for a whopping £1.6million.

But Morris and the Royals were unable to start the 2021 campaign with a win as they fell to a narrow four-run defeat against the Punjab Kings on Monday.

Rajasthan won the toss and elected to field, and the Kings hit 221-6 off their 20 overs.

KL Rahul blasted 91 off 50 balls for Punjab while Chetan Sakariya (3-31) was the pick of the Royals' bowlers.

Morris finished with bowling figures of 2-41 as he removed Deepak Hooda (64 off 28 balls) and Nicholas Pooran (duck).

The reply saw Rajasthan fall agonisingly short. Sanju Samson bludgeoned 119 off 63 balls but couldn't spur the Royals to victory as they fell four-runs shy of the Kings' total.

Morris finished the Rajasthan innings on two not out having faced four balls.

Morris took 31 league wickets for Hastings Priory at an average of 24.23 with a best of 5-8 against Brighton & Hove.

He also scored 402 runs at an average of 40.2, including a superb 113 against Stirlands.