West Indies to remember Runako Morton

Darren Sammy has declared his intention to donate his match fee for Wednesday's one-day international against New Zealand to the family of Runako Morton, the West Indies batsman who died in a car accident in March.

Morton, who was from St Kitts and Nevis, will be remembered during the third ODI at Warner Park in St Kitts, and the day has been declared a public holiday. Sammy said he and the allrounder Dwayne Bravo had been trying to raise money for Morton's family through online auctions of cricket memorabilia, and they would continue to help out with the donation of their match fees.

"The third ODI, we as a West Indies team have devoted that game to Runako Morton," Sammy said. "St Kitts is the closest we'll get to playing international cricket [in Nevis, where Morton was born]. We thought it would be a good way to play tribute to him. It was brought about by WIPA and all the players agreed it was a good initiative to remember Runako Morton.

"Myself and Dwayne Bravo have devoted our match fees for the third ODI to Runako Morton and we'll be making a donation to his wife. He left behind his family and kids … It will be a big thing on Wednesday, remembering Morton and the chance for West Indies to clinch a series win."

Chris Gayle said the West Indians would wear jerseys with 37, Morton's number, on it during the game. "The last time I was here was sad moment for the funeral of my friend Runako Morton. We are using this as a tribute game to Runako. As players, we came together and decided to pull this together," Gayle said. "This is one for Runako.

"I gather that his wife will be here for the match and we want to give his family and the crowd something to cheer about. We will wear his number on our shirts. We will put in the extra work and try to win tomorrow for Runako. It's a Public Holiday and we are hoping for a huge turn-out."

Morton played 15 Tests, 56 one-day internationals and seven Twenty20s for West Indies and he was particularly impressive against New Zealand. His highest ODI score of 110 not out came against New Zealand, in Napier in 2006, and his highest Test score of 70 not out also came in Napier on that same tour.