Windies cricketer Runako Morton dies in road accident

Port of Spain, March 5 (IANS) West Indies cricketer Runako Morton was killed in a car crash here Sunday night.

The 33-year-old, one of the few cricketers to emerge from the island of Nevis, lost control of the car he was driving and hit a pole, according to reports. He died on the spot.

Morton had played 15 Test matches, 56 One-day internationals and seven Twenty20s for the West Indies since making his international debut in 2002. He last played in February 2010 in a Twenty20 against Australia in Sydney.

Former West Indies Chris Gayle, under whom Morton played in the national team, tweeted: “We lost a True Warrior W.I Cricketer Runako Morton-May is soul rest in peace! Our memories together Live On!-My Condolences to his Family.”

West Indies player Carlos Brathwaite also offered his condolences. “RIP Runacko Morton. Gone but not forgotten,” he tweeted.

England star batsman Kevin Pietersen also expressed his shock on Twitter.

“My thoughts go out to Runako Morton’s family this morning... Such sad news!! What a lovely guy & fierce competitor!! RIP bossman!!!” he said.

Morton had represented Trinidad and Tobago, Leeward Islands and Nevis.

Morton scored 5980 runs at an average of 39.60 in a first class career that spanned over 17 years.

Morton’s career, however, was never short of controversies. He was was expelled from the West Indian Academy in July 2001, for a series of regulation breaches but a good run with the bat for Leeward Islands in the Busta Cup forced the selectors to recall him in 2002 as a replacement for Marlon Samuels.His career seemed almost over in September 2002, when he pulled out of the ICC Champions Trophy in September 2002, after lying about the death of his grandmother. In January, 2004, he was arrested but released without charge following a stabbing incident.Morton and Leeward Islands allrounder Tonito Willett were arrested, before being released on bail, in March last year for possession of marijuana.