Runako Shakur Morton was a talented cricket player from the West Indies. Born on October 18, 1978, in the small island of Nevis, Morton had the potential to become one of the few Test cricketers from his homeland. Unfortunately, his career was marred by controversies and a tragic end.
Morton’s journey in cricket began early when he enrolled at the West Indian Academy. However, his rebellious nature led to his expulsion in July 2001 due to various breaches of regulations. Undeterred, he continued to showcase his batting prowess for the Leeward Islands in the Busta Cup, a regional cricket tournament.
In February 2002, Morton received a call-up to the West Indian squad as a replacement for Marlon Samuels, who was suffering from an injury. It seemed like the breakthrough he had been waiting for, with hopes that he would solidify his position in the team. However, he squandered this opportunity when he deceitfully withdrew from the ICC Champions Trophy in September 2002 by lying about the death of his grandmother.
Morton’s career took another hit in January 2004 when he was arrested following a stabbing incident, although he was later released without charges. Despite these setbacks, he displayed resilience and determination, earning a recall to the West Indian one-day squad in May 2005 to face South Africa.
His true potential was finally showcased during the 2005-06 tour of New Zealand when he scored his maiden one-day hundred. Morton’s century came in a losing cause, but it highlighted his fighting spirit and ability to perform under pressure. He continued his impressive form with another century against Zimbabwe during the away series.
However, his name became etched in the record books for the wrong reasons when he registered a painstaking 31-ball duck against Australia in the DLF Cup final in Malaysia. It was the slowest ODI duck in history, surpassing Phil Simmons’ previous record of 23 balls. Yet, Morton quickly redeemed himself with an unbeaten 90 in the next meeting against Australia during the Champions Trophy.
Despite these sporadic moments of brilliance, Morton struggled to find consistency in his performances. He was left out of the West Indian squad for the 2007 World Cup after a dip in form. Despite being given several chances, including a recall for the 2008 Test series against England, Morton failed to cement his place in the team.
From 2008 to early 2010, Morton’s career saw numerous ups and downs. He displayed glimpses of his talent, including an unbeaten 85 against India, but was unable to make a lasting impact. Unfortunately, Morton’s cricket journey was cut short on March 4, 2012, when he tragically passed away in a car accident at the age of 33.
Runako Shakur Morton’s life may have been marked by controversies, inconsistencies, and an untimely demise, but he will always be remembered as a player with immense potential and the ability to shine on the cricket field. Though his career was shortened, his contributions to West Indies cricket, however tumultuous, will not be forgotten.
