'A fierce competitor'

ST JOHN'S, Antigua (CMC):

West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president, Julian Hunte, has hailed late Leeward Islands and Trinidad and Tobago batsman Runako Morton as a "fierce competitor".

The 33-year-old Morton died tragically late Sunday after the car he was driving struck a utility pole on the Solomon Hochoy Highway in Chase Village in central Trinidad.

"Runako's passing, still in the prime of life, leaves us all in shock," Hunte said.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends as we all try to come to terms with his loss.

"He will be remembered as a fierce competitor on the field who gave no quarter, whether he was playing for West Indies, Leeward Islands, Nevis or Trinidad and Tobago."

Born in Nevis, he came through the youth system in the Caribbean, representing Leeward Islands at first class level, playing for the West Indies Under-19s and West Indies 'A' before making his international debut in 2002. Morton started playing for T&T in 2010, having made the country his home several years prior.