Runako Morton West Indies batsman killed in road accident

Runako Morton, the West Indies batsman, has died in a road accident on Sunday, police have confirmed. Morton, 33, crashed into a utility pole on the Solomon Hochoy Highway in Chase Village in central Trinidad.

Runako Morton

He was on his way home from a cricket match, and was the sole occupant of the vehicle. The accident occurred at around 11pm local time. When news spread about his death, many of his team-mates posted condolence messages on Twitter, like Wavell Hinds: "Gone far too soon brother Runako. I will treasure the great memories for sure. R.I.P. God knows best." Rayad Emrit, Morton's Trinidad team-mate, tweeted: "R.I.P. Morton. You'll always be remembered buddy. Gone but NEVER forgotten. We miss you bro."

Julian Hunte, the president of the West Indies Cricket Board, sent his condolences: "Runako's passing, still in the prime of life, leaves us all in shock," Hunte said. "He will be remembered as a fierce competitor on the field who gave no quarter whether he was playing for West Indies, Leeward Islands, Nevis or Trinidad and Tobago,"

Morton played 15 Tests and 56 ODIs for West Indies, with his last appearance for his country coming against Australia in a Twenty20 international in 2010. He underachieved as a Test batsman, scoring 573 runs at an average of 22.03 with four half-centuries. He had a better record as a one-day player, scoring 1519 runs at an average of 33.75 with two centuries and ten fifties.

Morton's career was blotted by disciplinary breaches. He was expelled from the West Indian Academy in July 2001, and a year later was called up to the injury-plagued West Indies squad as a replacement for Marlon Samuels. He pulled out of the ICC Champions Trophy in September 2002, after lying about the death of his grandmother. His career slipped further when he was arrested (though released without charge) in January 2004, following a stabbing incident.

Asia Cup-2012 Schedule

Date and Time
MATCH
RESULT
Sun Mar 11          

08:00 GMT | 14:00 local

13:30 IST
1st Match - Bangladesh v Pakistan

Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur


Pakistan
Won
Tue Mar 13          

08:00 GMT | 14:00 local

13:30 IST
2nd Match - India v Sri Lanka

Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur


India
Won
Thu Mar 15          

08:00 GMT | 14:00 local

13:30 IST
3rd Match - Pakistan v Sri Lanka

Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur


Pakistan
Won
Fri Mar 16          

08:00 GMT | 14:00 local

13:30 IST
4th Match - Bangladesh v India

Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur

Bangladesh
Won
Sun Mar 18          

08:00 GMT | 14:00 local

13:30 IST
5th Match - India v Pakistan

Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur
India
Won
Tue Mar 20          

08:00 GMT | 14:00 local

13:30 IST
6th Match - Bangladesh v Sri Lanka

Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur

Thu Mar 22          

08:00 GMT | 14:00 local

13:30 IST
Final - TBC v TBC

Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur