Weekes was part of the '3Ws', the much famed and revered West Indies cricketing trio along with two other legends of the game, Frank Worrel and Clyde Walcott. Weekes, one of the first major cricketing heroes from the Caribbean Islands is hailed as the "Founding Father of the Sport" in the West Indies due to stellar feats with the willow which played a key role in placing Windies cricket on the world map.
Several international cricketers and West Indies Board paid their tributes and condolences with messages on the social media platforms.
“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of an icon. A legend, our hero, Sir Everton Weekes,” tweeted Cricket West Indies.
“Our condolences go out to his family, friends and many fans around the world. May he rest in peace.”
“A most amazing pioneer in West Indies cricket,” said CWI president Ricky Skerritt.
Former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman also briefed the passing away of Sir Everton Weekes and expresses his condolences to his family and loved ones
Walcott died in 2006 while Worrell passed away in 1967. All the three giants of the game had been born within a mile and a half of each other over an 18-month period. Walcott died in 2006 while Worrell passed away in 1967. All three had been born within a mile and a half of each other over an 18-month period.
In 1948, Sir Everton scripted history of sorts as he became the first ever cricketer in history to score five successive Test hundreds.
Hailed by cricket experts as one of the greatest Windies batsman of all time, Weekes played 48 Tests between 1948 and 1958, scoring a staggering 4,455 runs at a superlative average of 58.61. His highest Test score was 207.
Everton Weekes was named as one of Wisden's Cricketers of the Year in 1951 after helping West Indies defeat England in a Test series, which saw him in all conquering mode with the willow, registering seven centuries all through the tour (First Class Tour Games Included).
A persistent thigh injury forced him to retire relatively early at 33 but not before appearing for the West Indies in 48 Tests. Post retirement he enjoyed a successful stints as first as a coach (he was, among other things, coach of the Canada side which played in the 1979 World Cup) and, from 1994, as an ICC match referee.
The national stadium in Bridgetown, Barbados is named the Three Ws Oval in honour of the three legends of West Indies cricket.