In 1879/80 Morley toured North America with Richard Daft, and in 1880 he was selected to play in the match that later became known as the first Test match to take place in England, taking 8 for 146, including five wickets in the first innings.

[4] He toured Australia in 1882/3 as part of the Honourable Ivo Bligh's side that aimed to recover the Ashes.

However, he was hampered by an injury to his rib that he picked up when the team's ship was involved in a collision in the harbour at Colombo.

Rumours, however, soon surfaced regarding the supposed accidental nature of the collision, with some historians postulating malicious sabotage from rival cricket teams.

Alienated from his family members due to his deteriorating health and subsequent inability to bring in income, Morley lived in seclusion during the remainder of his life.