West Indies cricket legend Sir Everton Weekes is dead. He was 95. The last of three Ws, Weekes breathed his last at his Barbados home on Wednesday night.
A veteran of 48 Tests, Weekes formed the most formidable and dreaded batting line up along with Sir Frank Worrell and Clyde Walcott during the mid-20th century.
Weekes averaged 58.61 during the 48-Test career that was decorated with 15 centuries and 19 fifties. Many of his batting records remain unconquered more than 60 years after his retirement.
His 15 Test hundreds came in consecutive innings in 1948. The record for the longest sequence of Test centuries is still unmatched.
Cricket West Indies took lead in paying rich tributes to the legend. “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. ??,” tweeted the cricket board at its official twitter handle @windiescricket.
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
“He had an amazing legacy as a great cricketer and great human being,” Cricket West Indies president Ricky Skerrit said in a statement. “He was one of the most humble and decent persons you would have ever met. I want to take this opportunity to publicly express our deepest sympathy to the family of this remarkable gentleman.”
Few would know that Weekes was named after football club Everton. He also represented Barbados in soccer.
A space is vacant at the Three Ws Oval in Barbados where Worrell and Walcott rest in peace. It will be for the Weekes’ family to decide whether all the three Ws will unite again for once and ever.