Runako Morton dies in car crash

Runako Morton dies in car crash
AP Photo/Chris Brandis

West Indies cricketer Runako Morton, 33, was killed in a car crash on the Sir Solomon Highway, while heading to his home in Princess Town, South Trinidad around 11:00 p.m. on Sunday night

Morton reportedly lost control of his car and crashed into a utility pole. He was the lone occupant in the car.

Nevis-born Morton, who has been living in Trinidad for several years playing Club cricket had earlier left the Queen’s Park Cricket Club, Port of Spain.

The right-handed batsman and off-break bowler started his Test career against Sri Lanka in Colombo in July, 2005. His last Test was against Australia in 2010 at Sydney.

Morton played his first One-Day International against Pakistan in 2002 and made his Twenty20 debut against New Zealand in 2006.

In all, he played 15 Tests scoring 1192 runs at an average of 22.03. His highest score was 70 not out.

In the ODIs, he played 56 matches scoring 1519 runs with a score of 110 not out and an average of 33.75. He played seven Twenty20s with a highest score of 40 at an average of 16.00

His international career with the West Indies spanned eight years but he was unable to win a regular place in the side because of the controversies he was embroiled in.

He also played 95 first class matches and represented the Leeward Islands, before moving to Trinidad and Tobago. He also represented T&T in first class matches.

Last March Morton and his compatriot, Leeward Islands cricketer Elequemundo Willett were charged with possession of marijuana after police searched a car in which they were occupants and allegedly seized the “weed.” They pleaded not guilty and were released on bail. The case is yet to be completed.