BASSETERRE, St Kitts – The members of the West Indies and New Zealand teams as well as thousands of fans paid honour to the late Runako Morton on Wednesday in a match dedicated to the memory of the former Nevis, Leeward Islands, Trinidad and Tobago and West Indies batsman. The occasion was the third Digicel One-Day International at Warner Park and before play got under way, the players, team officials and match officials held a minute’s silence as a mark of respect to the well-liked Morton, who died in March at age 33.
During play the members of the West Indies team wore Morton’s Number 37 on their jerseys.
After play, Morton’s widow, Liselle Phillip-Morton, was presented with a cheque by members of the Windies team.
New Zealand all-rounder Kyle Myles also gave his Number 37 jersey to Mrs Morton, who was the special guest of Dr Julian Hunte, president of the West Indies Cricket Board, who also participated in the ceremonies.
On the field, West Indies lost their first match of the Digicel Series as New Zealand recorded victory by 88 runs. New Zealand batted first after being sent in and made 249-9 off their 50 overs.
Fast bowler Andre Russell took 4-57 – his second four-wicket haul of the series. Russell returned to hit the top score of 42 not out, which included four sixes, as West Indies were bowled out for 161 off 34.3 overs. The result left the home side with a 2-1 lead after three matches, with two more to be played.
Speaking after the match captain Darren Sammy said his team came up short with the bat, but promised a better show today, as they look to clinch the five-match rubber.
“We came here today looking for our third win, which would have secured the series, but that was not to be. They played really well today … their fielding was brilliant,” Sammy said.
“We felt that 250 (to win) was a par score and we backed ourselves to get that target, considering the way we batted in the T20s in Florida and the first two matches in Jamaica. Today we just kept losing wickets at crucial stages and that’s where we lost it.”
Sammy added: “There is no panic in the camp; this is not a panic situation. We have been playing well since the start of this series, but we didn’t get it right today. We won’t let this defeat dampen our spirits. We wanted to win for Runako and the people today … so we will come back today and look to get it right and do it for them.”