WEST INDIAN CRICKETER Runako Morton has died following a car crash in Trinidad. He was 33.
The Trinidad Express reports that Morton lost control of his car and hit a pole while travelling on the Solomon Hochoy Highway last night.
The batsman from Chase Village, Trinidad, played 15 Test matches for the West Indies, scoring 573 runs, as well as 56 one-day internationals and two T20 internationals. His last Test appearance came against Australia in the summer of 2008.
Former West Indies captain Chris Gayle led the tributes to his team-mate on Twitter as the news broke this morning.
“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 :(”
English batsman Kevin Pietersen, who played against Morton during the 2007 Wisden Trophy series, also tweeted his condolences.
“My thoughts go out to Runako Morton’s family this morning… Such sad news!! What a lovely guy & fierce competitor!! RIP bossman!!”
The West Indies squad paused to remember Morton ahead of their training camp at the 3Ws Oval in Barbados this morning, the West Indies Cricket Board said.