BAJAN LEGEND

Weekes was last surviving member of famous 3Ws (Worrell, Weekes & Walcott) who were born within three miles and 18 months of each other and were delivered by the same midwife. They were the middle-order mainstay for West Indies from 48-’58 accumulating 39 hundreds in 143 Tests between them. Denied membership at Pickwick Club in Kensington Oval because he was black. Now Kensington Oval has a 3Ws stand & the University of the West Indies campus in Cave Hill, Barbados, has a 3Ws Oval.

Scored only one century—197 v Pakistan—at Kensington Oval his home ground.

Hit only one six—bill Johnston over long-on in the 2nd Test 1955 in Trinidad v Aus. Quite a feat for someone rated as the most exciting batsman of his time. There was another ‘six’ in his career, in Calcutta in 1948, but in an interview he said that was from four overthrows. Weekes said he didn’t play in the air because growing up if he did that and it broke a window it meant the ball wouldn’t be returned.

Was named after the Everton football club because his father was a fan. When Weekes told that to England’s Jim Laker the legendary off-spinner deadpanned it was good that Weekes’ father was not a West Brom fan. Played bridge for Barbados.

Was the last of the Ws to be knighted, in 1995 Coached Canada in the 1979 World Cup

It took a heart attack last year to stop him from swimming regularly in the sea.

Son David Murray played 19 Tests and 10 One-dayers as wicketkeeper for

West Indies.