What's Next for Runako Morton?

Runako Morton is 25 years old. In normal circumstances, with his batting talent, he should be approaching the prime of his career and staking a strong claim for a permanent place in the West Indies team. Instead, he has been banished from the Leewards side because of a poor report from a psychologist hired by the WICB.

But, there's an interesting twist to this ongoing saga. On the same day the Leewards squad was released (sans Morton), a senior WICB official told me the board had actually confirmed the lifting of its one-year suspension against the troubled Nevisian, effectively clearing him to play in the Carib Beer Cup which starts next month.

Why would the WICB confirm the end of Morton's suspension even as the Leewards board went public with the news that the psychologist's report was unfavourable? No one is saying. WICB officials in Antigua are under a gag order put in place by new president Teddy Griffith so any news out of Factory Road has to be 'unofficial'.

Here's how it was explained to me: "Runako Morton met the WICB for a debriefing after the consultant working with him observed him during the RSB. The WICB funded the physological assistance offered to him, and a debriefing is a part of the normal process. [His] suspension has now been lifted."

Now that Ricardo Powell has made it clear he wants to play for Trinidad & Tobago instead of his native Jamaica, is it possible we could see another territory making a move to add Morton's big bat to its line-up?

Morton has serious problems, that much is clear. The people familiar with his run-ins with authority swear it's a medical condition that requires professional treatment. To be fair, the WICB has tried to deal with the problem, arranging for Dr Linda Oluwakemi Banks to do some part-time counselling. But, Morton's problem requires more.

He needs specialised treatment, not banishment. At a time when our regional cricket is in need of all the talent it can cling to, Morton deserves more.

I know, I know. Indiscipline is a scourge in our cricket and repeat offenders should be severely dealt with. But, what if that repeat offender can't help himself? What if it's a chemical imbalance that needs medication and specialist treatment?

It's sad that there are leaders in our cricket who won't touch Morton with a 10-foot pole. All around the Caribbean, Morton is referred to (in high places) as "that headcase" and "that nut." In the Windwards, where batting has been an eternal bugbear, isn't there a progressive thinker who can see the value of rehabilitating Morton?

He's 25 years old.

There are repeat offenders all around the Caribbean. Repeat offenders without medical ailments. Repeat offenders who get fifth, sixth and tenth chances. Yes, Morton's infractions have been legendary and he has gotten some help. But, again, we're talking here about a 25-year-old with a serious medical problem.

Morton's plight isn't unique to West Indies cricket. It's pervasive throughout the Caribbean where troubled youths are spurned and banished. From drug addicts to the mentally challenged, we're only too happy to forget about them instead of working to fix the problems.

We have failed Runako Morton, a young batsman with the talent to make it all the way to the top. And, there's no indication that we won't fail the next kid with a similar problem. As a society, we should be ashamed of ourselves.