West Indies cricketer Runako Morton dies in car accident

Port of Spain: West Indies cricketer Runako Morton was killed in a road accident on Sunday night when he lost control of his car and hit a pole. Morton, 33, died on the spot, it has been reported. Morton played 15 Test matches, 56 One-Day Internationals and seven Twenty20s for the West Indies since making his international debut in 2002. [caption id=“attachment_234690” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Morton played 15 Tests , 56 ODIs and seven T20s for the West Indies since making his international debut in 2002. Punit Paranjpe/Reuters”]  [/caption] He scored 573 runs in Tests at an average of 22.03 and 1519 in ODIs with an average of 33.75. He last played in February 2010 in a Twenty20 against Australia in Sydney. Morton had represented Trinidad and Tobago, Leeward Islands and Nevis. He scored 5980 runs at an average of 39.60 in a first class career that spanned over 17 years. Several international cricketers have mourned the death of the Caribbean cricketer. West Indies batsman Chris Gayle, 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 condoled Morton’s death on his twitter page. “RIP Runacko Morton. Gone but not forgotten,” he tweeted. England batting star 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’s former IPL team Rajasthan Royals also tweeted, “Sad to learn about the news of West Indian cricketer Runako Morton passing away in a car accident…RIP!” Morton’s career was marked with several controversies. He was expelled from the West Indian Academy in July 2001 for a series of regulation breaches. He had also lied about the death of his grandmother to pull out of the ICC Champions Trophy in September 2002. His career hit a nadir when he was arrested in January 2004, following a stabbing incident. Morton and Leeward Islands all-rounder Tonito Willett were also arrested, before being released on bail, in March last year for possession of marijuana. PTI