West Indies batting great Everton Weekes, last of ‘the three Ws’, dies aged 95

Legendary West Indies batsman Sir Everton Weekes died aged 95 on Wednesday. Weekes had suffered a heart attack in 2019 and had been unwell since then.

Everton Weekes along with Clyde Walcott and Frank Worrell formed the Barbados-born trio, ‘the three Ws’ that dominated world cricket in the post-war era. Weekes, who was considered the best batsman among the three, played 48 Tests for the West Indies.

Weekes scored 4455 runs at a staggering average of 58.62 in his Test career that spanned between 1948 to 1958. He had hit 15 hundreds. Short and stocky, Weekes was one of the finest timers of the ball as he had the gift of judging the length of the delivery early. Weekes scored 12,010 runs in 152 first-class matches at an average of 55.34. He hit 36 hundreds, including his highest score of 304 not out.

Weekes holds the world record for most number of consecutive hundreds hit in Test cricket — 5 against England and India in 1948. Weekes would have equalled the first-class record for the most number of successive hundreds had he not been adjudged run out on 90 in his next Test innings.

“A most amazing pioneer in West Indies cricket. A tremendous gentleman and a wonderful human being. He was literally a founding father of our cricket. May he rest in peace.” Cricket West Indies president Ricky Skerritt paid his tribute upon news of Weekes’ passing.

Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of an icon. A legend, our hero, Sir Everton Weekes. Our condolences go out to his family, friends and many fans around the world. May he rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/RnwoJkhjPd

— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) July 1, 2020

India batsman VVS Laxman sent his condolence message in a social media post. He said: “Heard about the passing away of West Indies legend, Sir Everton Weekes. He was one of the greats of the game My condolences to his family and loved ones.”

Heard about the passing away of West Indies legend , Sir Everton Weekes. He was one of the greats of the game My condolences to his family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/eQQo3QXN7F

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) July 1, 2020

Everton Weekes, one of West Indies’ greatest batsmen and a former ICC match referee, has passed away at the age of 95. May he rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/m6aP7JamPE

— ICC (@ICC) July 1, 2020

Tragic news coming in from Barbados as Sir Everton Weekes has left us. The Three Ws have finally gotten together in Heaven – Weekes, Walcott and Worrell #RiPEvertonWeekes @windiescricket pic.twitter.com/CMctoSkAkL

— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) July 1, 2020

After retirement, Weekes continued to serve the game as he served as a coach, administrator and match referee for the International Cricket Council. Weekes had coached Canada at the 1979 World Cup.

Weekes was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in 2009. He was awarded a knighthood in 1995. The Three Ws Oval at the University of the West Indies in Barbados is named after the famous trio.