Heroic Morton can’t stop rampant Jamaicans

West Indies “prodigal son” Runako Morton returned to competitive regional limited-overs cricket with a bang as he smashed an heroic unbeaten century for Leeward Islands in their second round match against Jamaica at the Uitvlugt Regional Ground yesterday. Right-handed Morton hammered six mighty sixes and four fours as he and Omari Banks staged one of the greatest recoveries seen in the premier limited-overs competition. With their team stuttering at 37-6, they combined in a new record seventh wicket partnership worth 157 runs and they almost rallied Leewards to a sensational victory over the star-studded Jamaicans.

Leewards fell short by 19 runs when they managed 226 for eight wickets in reply to Jamaica’s 245 for 9 off their allotted 50 overs. With his personal tally on 89 with the final over to be bowled by former West Indian pacer Darren Powell, Morton watched his partner Lionel Baker hit the first ball for four. Knowing that he required eleven runs for his maiden century, Morton still gave Baker a nice congratulatory gloves bounce to encourage him. Then they scampered through for a single to allow Morton the opportunity to get the coveted landmark. Powell delivered a short rising delivery and Morton was on his back foot in a flash and had the ball sailing over the ropes to take his score to 95. And with the confidence exhibited throughout his chanceless innings, the Envision shoemaker charged Powell’s next delivery and carted him out of the ground and into the canal for his sixth six of the unbeaten innings.

Morton returned from Sri Lanka under mysterious circumstances by claiming that his grandmother had died and faced a difficult chapter in his life when he was accused of stabbing a cousin. He showcased his talent yesterday and unleashed ferocious strokes to all parts of the ground as he became the fourth Leewards player to notch a triple-figure in these annual tournament. He faced 98 balls and eventually joined Enoch Lewis (1), Keith Arthurton (3 centuries) and Walden Cornwall (1) as centurions. Banks made 61 and his inspirational innings was embellished with four sixes off 107 balls. But promising Xavier Marshall who delighted the crowd with superbly-timed shots raced to his maiden half-century in five matches.  He added a further 69 with the experienced Gavel Hinds who shepherded his younger counterparts during an anxious period against the wily Banks whose ten overs cost only 22 runs.

Jamaica’s innings looked a massive uphill climb for Leewards when they faltered against Powell and McInnis and were tottering at 37-6. Powell struck in his first over and second ball when Alex Adams offered Gayle a catch at first slip and then sent some shock waves around the ground when he knocked back skipper Stuart Williams stumps for a first ball duck. Gayle replaced Powell and he prized out Austin Richards (13), brilliantly caught by captain Gareth Breese diving to his right at first slip. He also accounted for Sylvester Joseph bowled for nine while McInnis dismissed Tonito Willet, LBW for one and Wilden Cornwall, also LBW for nought with the next delivery. Barbadian umpire Vincent Bullen had his fingers up much to the consternation of Cornwall who felt aggrieved as he pushed forward to the Jamaican medium pacer. Gayle took two for 30 while McInnis had two for 21 and Powell two for 42.