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Three W's - the stalwarts of the Windies

FLASHBACK: Barbados is the strongest of all cricketing centres in the Caribbean. But it is a very small island, only 166 square miles in area, and had a population of just 2,53.000 - in the early part of 1989. Yet, cricket was king in Barbados and, of West Indies's 190 Test players as many as 57 have been provided by Barbados alone.

Some of the finest West Indian cricketers have come from the island of Barbados. The three W's - Clyde Walcott, Everton Weeks and Sir Frank Worrell have been with the stars together with legendary Sir Garfield Sobers.

Of the three W's Barbados fame Everten de Courey Weekes was probably the most devastating as a batsman. That he had wrists of steel can be seen even in late life. He is built like a boxer and he carries his years lightly. He was said to be the finest player of the hook shot and the sweep shot. Rohan Kanhai perfected Weekes' technique in playing the sweep.It is said Weekes played the sweep so powerfully that he would often end up facing the wicket-keeper. Kanhai made the falling sweep famous. The hints were said to have come from Weekends. His hundreds on the trot remain unmatched. He remembers fairly well that the umpire gave him out in Madras when he knew he was in. He has not yet forgiven the umpire for that grave error. And yet Weekes is not a bitter an at all.

Weekes treasures the memories of the game which come flooding into his mind when he is in the mood to talk cricket generally on an evening at the bar reserved for the cricket officials and players at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown.

Weekes is the type who would recent interview. He would talk on the game in a kind of intelligent ramble making sharp comments on topics.

Weekes is very proud of his achievements. "I could bat a bit", he would say with a smile. His love for Frank Worrell just cannot be measured. He fools the loss of his great friend very deeply. He recounted in great detail Worrell's illness. Worrell had called him a few days before his (Worrell's) death.

Though Worrell was strong as an ex, physically and mentally, his illness had taken everything out of him.

It was not a pleasant sight to see him in the coffin. One part of my life had gone with him Weekes said. And yet all his follow cricketers know something was wrong long before the illness (Leukamia) took hold of him. He went to the dontist once and had some teeth removed. The doctor know what was wrong and the end came soon.

Garlands galore

Weekes spoke of Worrell's death near his anniversary - March 13. These who play "bridge" use to reel off memorable times they had playing the card game.

In general Weekes reminisced freely but in general terms.

He talked of his experience in England as a professional.

He does not think too much of modern cricketers. What he seems to dislike is their 'take money for everything' policy.


Record of the three famous : 'W's of West Indian cricket

Worrell: 51 matches, 87 innings, 9 not outs, 3,860 runs, 261 highest, 49.48 average, nine 100s, twenty-two 50s, 43 catches, 7,141 balls, 2,672 runs, 69 runs, 38.72 average.

Weekes: 48 matches, 81 innings, 5 not outs, 4,455 runs, 207 highest, 58.61 average, 15 hundreds, nineteen 50s, 49 catches, 122 balls, 77 runs, 1 wicket, average: 77.00

Walcott: 44 matches, 74 innings, 7 not outs, 3,798 runs, 220 highest, 56.68 average, 15 hundreds, 14 fifties, (53 catches, 11 stumpings), 1,194 balls, 408 runs, 11 wickets, 37.09 average.

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