West Indies batting legend Everton Weekes passes away at 95

Everton Weekes, who was a part of the famous three “Ws” of West Indian cricket, has died at the age of 95. The legendary batsman played alongside Frank Worrell and Clyde Walcott, with all three players making their Test debuts in 1948. He was also a highly respected coach, analyst, team manager, match referee for the International Cricket Council, and a member of the ICC Hall of Fame.

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

Born in 1925, the Barbadian cricketer made his Test debut at home against England. In the fourth match of the series, he began a stellar sequence of scores. His 141 versus England was followed by knocks of 128, 194, 162, 101 and 90 in India against India. He brought up his 1,000 Test runs in just his 12th innings, a world record that he shares with England’s Herbert Sutcliffe. Weekes retired in 1958 after playing 48 Tests in which he averaged 58.61 while adding 4455 runs. He also celebrated 15 centuries and 19 fifties.

Later in 1979, Weekes served the coach of Canada in the 1979 World Cup which West Indies went on to win. In 1994, he took match referee’s role for the ICC by refereeing in four Tests and three ODIs. He was made an OBE in 1995 for his services to cricket. In 2009, ICC inducted him in the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.