PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – West Indies Players Association (WIPA) president Dinanath Ramnarine on Tuesday told a packed funeral service for late cricketer Runako Morton that the player had been deserted by many when he needed their support most. Mourners filled the Open Bible Church in San Fernando in south Trinidad, to pay their last respects to Morton who died just over a week ago when his car crashed into a utility pole near the Chase Village flyover.
“When Runako got into trouble many institutions he represented deserted him,” Ramnarine charged.
“Did Christ cast away the wayward sheep? Did the father throw away the prodigal son?”
He added: “It is to the credit of Bruce Aanensen and Queen’s Park Cricket Club, and to WIPA and his fellow cricketers, that we all rallied around him when all the other influences on his cricket were noticeably missing.”
Last year, Morton was arrested and charged for marijuana possession and was promptly dropped from the Trinidad and Tobago squad, and remained outside the selection frame ever since.
In addition, he was also dumped from the government-funded elite sports programme.
Just days before his death, Morton was cleared of the charges.
Morton continued to play for his local club Queen’s Park and was in fact on his way home from a game when he met his death.
“Queen’s Park must be commended for what they did for Morton, WIPA also assisted him and we will continue to assist his family,” Ramnarine said.
“On the Monday after his death I was to send a legal advisory to the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) as well as the Ministry of Sport indicating to them that he was cleared of his charge and ready to fully resume his career.”
Batting legend Brian Lara, meanwhile, praised Morton as a “warrior”, pointing out that what he lacked in talent he made up for with hard work and determination.
“Morton was a true Warrior, a great team man. A true warrior does not have to be the most talented – someone who works very hard and this is what Morton did,” said the former West Indies captain who was one of the pallbearers.
“He knew that in order to get into the West Indies team he had to work hard and he was not afraid to do that. He worked on his game day in, day out. He never felt he had the God-given right to be in the West Indies team.
“He knew he earned it through hard work and the only way he was going to stay in there was by working harder than everyone else.”
The 33-year-old Morton represented West Indies in 15 Tests and 56 One-Day Internationals, in a career spanning nine years.
Born in Nevis, Morton played for and captained Leeward Islands for several years but last year switched to play for Trinidad and Tobago where he resided with his Trinidadian wife and three children.
The service was attended by several of Morton’s former West Indies teammates including Wavell Hinds, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Corey Collymore and Stuart Williams.
TTCB president Azim Bassarath was also in attendance along with the man he replaced, former West Indies vice-captain Deryck Murray.
Vance Amory, the former Nevis Premier, also flew in for the service.
Queen’s Park Club members were outfitted in their sky blue uniforms with Morton’s name written on the back.