Morton cast into the wilderness

Former West Indies batsman Runako Morton will not play in the 2004 Carib Beer Series following an negative medical report. Morton, who completed a year-long suspension in September, has not been named in a 22-member Leeward Islands training squad.

Carlisle Powell, president of the Leeward Islands Cricket Association, recently disclosed that Morton was given an unfavourable report after an examination by a clinical psychologist.

Morton was suspended by the West Indies Cricket Board for misconduct on the A team tour to England. Then, he asked to return home early from the ICC Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka to attend his grandmother's funeral, a story which later turned out to be untrue.

Morton, who has played two ODIs for West Indies, both against Pakistan, and has scored 1,736 runs (ave.33.86) in 34 first-class matches, made a return to the Leewards side for the regional Red Stripe Bowl in October.