BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – FORMER West Indies batsman Runako Morton died last night (Mar. 4) in Trinidad following a traffic accident.
Information reaching SKNVibes states that at about 11:00 p.m. while the 33-year-old Nevisian was on his way home from a cricket match, he lost control of his car and crashed into a utility pole on the Solomon Hochoy Highway in Chase Village, Central Trinidad.
He was the sole occupant of the vehicle.
Morton, who had the distinction of being among the few players from Nevis to have represented the West Indies, had played 15 Tests, 56 One Day Internationals and seven Twenty20s for the Caribbean team.
His last appearance for the West Indies was against Australia in a Twenty20 International in 2010.
Morton’s career had spanned some 17 years during which time, in addition to the West Indies, he had represented Nevis and the Leeward Islands.
He made his debut for the Leeward Islands in 1996 and had scored 4 104 first-class runs at an average of 44.60 with 11 centuries and 25 fifties before taking up residence in Trinidad and Tobago, where he represented the twin-island republic at first-class matches scoring 189 runs.
For the West Indies, Morton scored 573 test runs at an average of 22.03 with four half centuries, but was more successful at the limited-overs level scoring 1 519 runs at an average of 33.75 with two centuries and 10 fifties. The highlight of his career at this level of the game was an unbeaten 110 against New Zealand in 2006.
Morton’s career was however blemished with controversies. He was expelled from the West Indian Academy in July 2001 for a series of regulation breaches but was recalled in the following year to represent the Leeward Islands as a replacement for the injured Marlon Samuels.
Following the news of his death, there has been an outpour of condolences from his former teammates and cricketers around the world.
A tweet from the West Indies Cricket Board’s official account reads: “Our deepest condolences to Runako Morton’s family. Such devastating and tragic news.”
On Twitter, former West Indies captain Chris Gayle said: “We lost a True Warrior. WI cricketer Runako Morton – may his soul rest in peace! Our memories together Live On! My condolences to his family.”
Former West Indies all-rounder Wavell Hinds tweeted: “Gone far too soon brother Runako. I will treasure the great memories for sure. RIP God knows best,” while Rayad Emrit, who played with Morton for Trinidad, said: “RIP Morton. You’ll always be remembered buddy. Gone but NEVER forgotten. We miss you bro.”
Veteran New Zealand cricketer Scott Styris also expressed his grief, “Sad to hear the news of west Indian cricketer Runako Morton passing away in a car accident! Terrible news. RIP.”
England’s batsman Kevin Pietersen added: “My thoughts go out to Runako Morton's family this morning...such sad news!! What a lovely guy and fierce competitor!! RIP bossman!!!”
SKNVibes joins with the nation and cricketing world in extending sincerest condolences to Runako Morton’s wife Giselle and two children in Trinidad, his mother Annette and sister Midge in Nevis, his father Tyrone Williams and other family members, on his passing.
