When Australia's best openers are discussed Arthur Morris's name should always be one of the first mentioned.

An elegant, complete batsman, Morris peaked in the late 1940s and was the most successful batsman during the series against England that would make him an Invincible.

Cricket Australia extends its deepest sympathies to the Morris family following the sad passing of Test legend Arthur, aged 93. Vale. — Cricket Australia (@CAComms) August 21, 2015

Don Bradman was Morris's hero, but even the greatest player in history could not beat Morris, only two years into Test cricket, on that 1948 tour. Morris travelled home with 696 runs at 87 after striking three centuries in the campaign, none more important than his spectacular effort in Leeds.

Morris batting on the 1948 Invincibles tour

After Australia were set 404 in less than six hours on the final day, Morris hit 20 fours on the way to his century, finishing with 182 before Bradman completed the job. In the next Test at The Oval he scored 196, gaining a close-up view of Bradman's duck, the most famous of all time.

When asked later by an unknowing businessman if he saw it, Morris replied: "I was at the other end." Bradman felt Morris was the best left-hander he had ever seen.

Born in Bondi in 1922, Morris moved around New South Wales with his schoolteacher father until settling back in Sydney as a teenager.

His dad couldn't afford to buy him a bat so he borrowed one from his St George club, and was still using it when he became the first player to post two centuries on his first-class debut.

The 1948 Invincibles. Morris is back row, second from left

Morris was only 18 when he collected 148 and 111 against Queensland in 1940-41.

His steep rise was interrupted by the Second World War and he had to wait until England arrived in 1946-47 for his Test debut.

After scores of 2, 5 and 21, he roared with three consecutive centuries, including two in Adelaide. He was always at his best against England, even though he was dismissed 18 times by fast bowler Alec Bedser in 21 Tests.

A versatile and aggressive left-hander, Morris adapted to uncharacteristic conditions so well that he earned a deserving reputation for producing centuries on grounds the first time he played on them.

Morris on the drive against England in 1953

Most comfortable scoring on the legside, he excelled with hooks, pulls, sweeps and on-drives. At the end of his career he had stroked 3533 runs at 46.46 in 46 Tests, a wonderful record in any era.

Morris also achieved Australian cricket's highest office, becoming the 24th Test captain when he filled in for Lindsay Hassett in 1951-52. Another brief promotion came three years later when both Ian Johnson and Keith Miller suffered knee injuries, but both matches ended in defeat.

Morris and Richie Benaud check their telegrams in 1953

The highest of his 12 Test centuries came when he reached 206 against England in Adelaide in 1950-51, having been handed a coaching manual on how to bat by Bedser.

He continued to make valuable contributions until he retired, aged 34, after going to the West Indies in 1955. The following year his wife Valerie died of cancer. Morris remarried and he and Judith lived happily for many years in Cessnock and Erina, near Gosford.

A member of Australia's Test Team of the Century in 2000, Morris was inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame in 2001.

"We have sadly lost a cherished link with our past," Cricket Australia chairman Wally Edwards said.

"Arthur Morris was a great man and one of the true greats of Australian cricket who until now had been a treasured connection to an extraordinary era of the game.

"We extend our deepest sympathies to Arthur's wife Judith and his family at this sad time. He will be greatly missed but remembered forever."

Australia coach Darren Lehmann also paid tribute to Morris: "I was lucky enough to know Arthur and his wife Judith well and he was one of the most amazing people I have ever met and a true gentleman and legend of the game."

"He was always happy to share his thoughts and time with everyone, not just on cricket but on his life experiences as well.

"Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time, he will be sorely missed."

Morris at his Hall of Fame induction in 2001