
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 & Tobago and West Indies batsman.
The occasion was the third Digicel One-Day International at Warner Park. Before play, 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 allrounder Kyle Myles also gave her his Number 37 jersey. Mrs Morton 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 on Saturday 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 on Saturday and look to get it right and do it for them.”
DIGICEL 2012 SERIES – New Zealand to West Indies
Upcoming matches (All times local)
Digicel One-Day International Series
July 5: 1st Digicel ODI – West Indies won by 9 wickets at Sabina Park, Jamaica
July 7: 2nd Digicel ODI – West Indies won by 55 runs at Sabina Park
July 11: 3rd Digicel ODI – New Zealand won by 88 runs at Warner Park, St. Kitts
July 14: 4th Digicel ODI – Warner Park – 9:30 a.m.
July 16: 5th Digicel ODI – Warner Park – 9:30 a.m.