CUL DE SAC, St. Maarten — St. Maarten Under-19 cricketer Isra-el Morton has expressed pride and gratitude after being named to the West Indies Under-19 squad for the ICC Youth World Cup, scheduled to be played in Zimbabwe and Namibia from January 15 to February 5.
Cricket West Indies (CWI) recently announced the 15-man squad, with Morton earning selection following strong performances in the seven-match Youth One-Day International series against England in Grenada and a seven-match series against Sri Lanka in Antigua. The West Indies claimed both series, winning 5–2 against England and 4–3 against Sri Lanka.
Morton becomes the third St. Maarten player to be selected for a West Indies Under-19 World Cup team, following Keacy Carty (2016) and Nathan Edward (2022 and 2024).
Speaking with The Daily Herald, Morton shared his emotions upon learning of his selection.
“Feeling good knowing this was something I’ve always wanted to achieve,” he said. “It’s rewarding to see that all the hard work and sacrifices over the years have paid off.”
He revealed that he received confirmation of his selection through a phone call from CWI official Jamal Smith following the final ODI of the series.
Interestingly, Morton will wear jersey number 37, a number with personal significance. While St. Maarten measures 37 square miles, the number primarily honours his late cousin, Runako Morton, a former West Indies and Leeward Islands cricketer.
“I always try to emulate him and his positive attitude towards the game,” Morton explained. “I’m often told by his close friends, Colin Hamer and Nikita Miller, that I remind them of him because of our similar character and aggressive style of play.”
Runako Morton, born in Nevis, represented the West Indies in 15 Test matches and 56 One-Day Internationals before his life was tragically cut short in a car accident at the age of 33.
Morton also expressed heartfelt thanks to God, his family—especially his mother and older brother—and his mentors, including Don Farrell, Keith Carty, and Darc Browne. He further acknowledged the guidance of former players Sherwin Peters, Colin Hamer, and Kenroy David, as well as current West Indies players Keacy Carty and Daniel Doram.
A middle-order batsman, left-arm spinner, and athletic fielder, Morton credits his selection to his versatility as an all-rounder.
Strengths and Performances
“Whether building pressure with the ball, finishing the innings with the bat, or energising the fielding side, I aim to play whatever role is needed at the moment,” he said.
He highlighted several key performances during the England and Sri Lanka series:
- WI vs Sri Lanka, 4th ODI: 9 overs, 1 wicket, economy 3.77
- WI vs Sri Lanka, 5th ODI: 8 overs, 1 wicket, economy 3.75
- WI vs Sri Lanka, 7th ODI: 5 overs, 3 wickets, economy 6.00
- WI vs England, 5th ODI: 28 runs off 30 balls in a 50-run partnership with Mathew Miller
- WI vs England, 7th ODI: 6 overs, 0 wickets, economy 2.83, demonstrating tight control
Preparation and Areas for Improvement
Looking ahead to the World Cup, Morton said his focus is on improving consistency and patience, particularly in shot selection and run-scoring.
“I want to be more selective with my shots and score more consistently,” he noted.
He is currently following tailored strength and conditioning, bowling, and skills programs designed by his coaches to ensure he is both physically and technically prepared for the tournament.
Morton’s selection marks a significant milestone in his young career, with local and regional fans eagerly anticipating his contributions on the world stage.
The West Indies have been drawn in Group D, alongside South Africa, Afghanistan, and Tanzania, and will open their World Cup campaign against Tanzania on January 15.
