05/11/2019
**Morris-Jenkins Declares**
In breaking news, Moas co-founder and CFO Jared Morris-Jenkins has been forced into early retirement after suffering his second serious knee injury in three years. The latest injury occurred at NZ Nationals in March when Morris-Jenkins looked to punch a ball through covers for a single, only to have his kneecap head down to fine leg. The Moas were quick to act, providing some of the best doctors in the world to assist with JMJs recovery. Unfortunately after seven months, it was apparent that a gynaecologist and an optometrist weren’t much help with a knee injury. So with clarity provided from a new pair of glasses, JMJ decided that retirement was on the cards. Fortunately he has prepared well for life after cricket, obtaining a university degree 13 years ago and balancing his cricketing commitments with some corporate work experience.
A reliable floater in the Moas batting line-up, Morris-Jenkins managed to rack up over 500 runs for the Moas with 90% of these backwards of point. As one of the few Moas able to bat sensibly, JMJ was often called upon to stop a collapse or slow down the run rate if Walters or Deano got too carried away. A crucial last wicket partnership with Russell Kyne in the 2018 grand final helped the Moas post a competitive total, which they defended to win a maiden premiership. With the ball in hand, JMJ embarrassed many a skilled batsman with his weird slower ball googly thing. His variations were key to a balanced attack for the Moas when everyone else was trying to bowl 140kph or spin it square.
When asked what his career highlights were, JMJ replied “Individually it was getting the lads over the line with a yuck, negative strike rate 20-odd post a top order collapse and a ball to the head from a 160kmph bumper from Sunnie "Shoaib Aktar" Chan”. A real team man, and not one to seek personal plaudits, Morris-Jenkins was quick to point out that his favourite moments in the baggy blue have been witnessing the achievements of his team mates. “Favourite moment in the team would have been while at the non-strikers end, the umpire asked me if Russell Kyne was Hamish Kyne's dad”. “Also an honourable mention to Matty Thomson for spewing in the Red Hill toilets during the Moas end of season dinner”.
Morris-Jenkins will now transition into an off-field role with the Moas. He retains his CFO position and also steps into the Mental Skills coaching position which has been vacant since Liam Wealleans had a mental breakdown and fled to Dubai in 2018.
