The autopsy of fallen cricketer Runako Morton will be performed Today at the Forensic Science Centre in Federation Park, Port-of-Spain.
Morton was tragically killed when his lost control of his Nissan Tida vehicle around the Chase Village Fly Over on Sunday night. He was returning to his Princes Town home after representing Queen’s Park in their TTCB Premiership match against T&TEC at the Queen’s Park Oval.
Yesterday, QPCC team manager Jeffrey Guillen said the club has been in contact with his wife Leasel and has been informed that his autopsy will be performed today. “The club is with his family throughout this ordeal and we have been in contact with his wife. The funeral has been tentatively arranged for next Tuesday because Runako would have wanted all his people around.”
The 33-yearold Morton was born in Nevis and settled a few years ago in Trinidad after marrying a local girl. He was the father of three children, two girls and a boy. Their ages are nine, three and one respectively.
Guillen said that over the weekend Morton did not enjoy the best of matches against T&TEC. “He did not have the best of matches, as a matter of fact he scored zero in both knocks but he was as usual the ultimate team player, shouting out to his teammates and urging them on to victory.
“It was a pleasure having Runako play for Queen’s Park and it will be a terrible loss for the club both on and off the field. He was the ultimate team player and we will miss him sorely.” Guillen said the players at the club have taken the news very badly and the management is bringing in professional psychologists to assist the players.
“The players will gather at 3pm tomorrow where psychologists will be trying to help them cope with their loss. “
Meanwhile, the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (T&TCB) has reacted with shock and sadness at Morton’s passing. “Runako Morton was a cricketer who was blessed with a lot of talent and had a lot to add to his contribution to Trinidad and Tobago. He will certainly be missed by everyone who had the opportunity to see him play and to interact with him. On behalf of the T&T Cricket Board and the cricket community, I convey our deepest condolences to his family,” said Bassarath.
Morton, 33, played 15 Test matches,56 One-Day Internationals and seven T20s for the West Indies since making his international debut in 2002. He made 573 runs in Tests and 1,519 in ODIs.
He also represented T&T, Leeward Islands and Nevis in regional cricket scoring 5,980 runs at an average of 39.60 in an eventful First Class career spanning 17 years.
Chairman of the National Selectors Dudnath Ramkessoon also expressed his sorrow at the tragic demise of Morton, whose career has been overshadowed by several off the field controversies that probably cost him more playing time for the West Indies and T&T teams.
But Ramkessoon said Morton was a more than competent batsman and excellent fieldsman who was an asset to any team. “He was also a great competitor who made his mark in the short time that he graced the local cricket landscape. We also express our sadness to his Queen’s Park teammates,” said Ramkessoon.
Only last March, Morton was charged for marijuana possession and was granted bail. This cost him his place on the T&T team.
