The stars that shone early for Windies:

Walcott, Weekes, Worrell, Ramadhin and Valentine

By A.C De Silva

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 past of 1989. Yet, cricket was king in Barbadoes 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 Ws-Sir Clyde Walcott, Sir Everton Weekes and Sir Frank Wonell have been the stars together.

Walcott played his first test in 1948, Worrell had his debut in 1947-48 vs England and weekes too made his debut in 1948 - January 21st against England.

Of the three Ws of Barbados fame Everton de Coucy 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 that 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 weekes.

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 man 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 far reserved for the cricket officials and players at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown. Weekes is the type who would resent interviews. 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 feels 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 ox, phyrically and mentally, his illness had taken everything out of him.

It was not a pleasant sight to sea him in the coffin. One part of my life had gone with him. And yet all his fellow cricketers knew something was wrong long before the illness (Leukemia) took hold of him. He went to the dentist once and had some teeth removed. The doctor knew what was wrong and the end came soon.

Garlands galore

Weekes spoke of Worrell's death near his anniversary - March 13.

Those who play bridge use to real off removable time they had playing the card game. In general Weekes reminced freely but in general terms. He talked of his experiences in England as a professional. He does not think two much of modern cricketers. What he seems to dislike is their 'take money for everything' policy.

In 1950 West Indies signalled their advance most spectacularly by beating England on English soil three-one, with a first Test victory at Lord's tasting particularly sweet.

Rumours had already filtered back to England of three Barbadians of astounding talent, all born within three miles and 18 months og each other-namely Walcott, Weekes and Worrell - but no one had ever heard of Ramadhin and Valentine until that summer - they too came into the picture and took the Windies forward.

Whilst the formidable three W's piled up the runs in their contrasting styles, the 2 little spinners undermined the English batsmen, taking 59 of the 77 wickets to fall in the series.

What is the Test record of the three famous 'W's of West Indian cricket - Frank Worrell, Everton weekes and Clyde Walcott?

Worrell: 51 matches, 87 innings, 9 not outs, 3,860 runs, 261 highest, 49.48 everage, nine 100s, twenty-two 50s, 43 catches, 7.141 balls, 2,672 runs 69 wickets, 38.72 average.

Weekes: 48 marches, 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, 3798 runs, 220 highest, 56.68 average, 15 hundreds, 14 fifties (53 catches, 11 stumpings), 1,194 balls, 408 runs, 11 wickets, 37.09 average.