Weekes’ early years were marked by hardship. When he was
just eight, his father left for Trinidad to work in the oilfields, a common but
painful reality for many families in the Caribbean. It would be 11 long years
before his father returned. In his absence, Weekes and his sister were raised
by their mother, Lenore, and an aunt, whose nurturing presence Weekes credited
for his strong moral foundation.
A Childhood of Dreams
and Barriers
Weekes attended St. Leonard's Boys' School, where academics
took a backseat to sports. He later quipped about never passing an exam, yet
his life would prove to be a testament to perseverance and self-learning.
Cricket and football were his passions, and he represented Barbados in both
sports.
As a boy, Weekes worked as a groundskeeper at Kensington
Oval, earning the chance to watch international cricketers in action. This
proximity to greatness ignited his dreams. At 13, he began playing for
Westshire Cricket Club in the Barbados Cricket League (BCL), a competition
primarily for Black players. His local club, Pickwick, was closed to him due to
its whites-only policy—a stark reminder of the racial segregation that
permeated colonial society.
Weekes left school at 14, dedicating his time to cricket and
football. These years of relentless practice laid the foundation for his
unparalleled skill. By 1943, he enlisted in the Barbados Regiment, where he
served as a Lance-Corporal until 1947. The military provided him access to the
higher-standard Barbados Cricket Association, where he played for Garrison
Sports Club alongside Westshire in the BCL.
The Rise of a Genius
Weekes’ performances in local cricket earned him a place in
a trial match in 1945, leading to his first-class debut against Trinidad and
Tobago. While his initial outings were unremarkable, his determination never
wavered. By the 1946-47 season, he had found his rhythm, scoring his maiden
first-class century against British Guiana and averaging an impressive 67.57
for the season.
The 1947-48 tour by the MCC proved pivotal. An unbeaten 118
against the tourists secured Weekes’ place in the West Indies Test squad. His
Test debut came in January 1948 at Kensington Oval, but his early performances
were underwhelming. Dropped after three Tests, fate intervened when George
Headley’s injury brought Weekes back into the fold.
The Legend is Born:
The Indian Odyssey
It was in India that Weekes announced himself to the
cricketing world. In the First Test at Delhi in November 1948, he scored a
majestic 128. This was followed by a breathtaking 194 in Bombay and consecutive
centuries in Calcutta (162 and 101). In Madras, he fell agonizingly short of a
fifth consecutive hundred, controversially run out for 90.
This streak of five Test centuries remains a record,
underscoring his brilliance. His artistry was unmatched—Weekes was a master of
timing, his wristwork a symphony of elegance and power. His ability to dominate
spinners on dusty Indian tracks showcased his adaptability, as he danced down
the pitch to disrupt their length.
The Era of the Three
Ws
By 1948, Weekes had joined Frank Worrell and Clyde Walcott
to form the legendary “Three Ws.” Each brought a unique flavor to West Indies
cricket: Worrell’s leadership, Walcott’s brute force, and Weekes’ poetic
artistry. Together, they symbolized the emergence of the Caribbean as a
cricketing powerhouse.
Weekes’ batting was a study in grace and efficiency.
Bow-legged and with minimal foot movement, he relied on impeccable hand-eye
coordination. His drives, cuts, and flicks were a lesson in the use of the
wrists, likened to silk flowing through his veins.
Triumph and
Racism
Weekes’ success on the field was accompanied by battles off
it. During the 1954-55 series against Australia, he, Worrell, and Walcott were
excluded from a cocktail party hosted by a white West Indian player. Such
indignities were a stark reminder of the racial barriers that still existed.
Yet, Weekes used his bat as a weapon against discrimination, inspiring a
generation of Caribbean youth.
A Legacy Beyond
Numbers
By the time he retired, Weekes had amassed 4,455 Test runs
at an average of 58.61, the eighth-highest among players with 30 or more
innings. His artistry and consistency left an indelible mark on the game.
Post-retirement, Weekes was knighted and honoured with
numerous accolades, including induction into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. His
contributions extended beyond cricket, as he played a pivotal role in breaking
social barriers in the Caribbean.
Conclusion
Sir Everton Weekes was more than a cricketer; he was a
symbol of hope and resilience. His journey from a wooden shack to the pinnacle
of cricket is a story of triumph over adversity. His artistry on the field and
his courage off it continue to inspire, reminding us that excellence transcends
barriers.
Rest in peace, Sir Everton Weekes—a true legend of the game and a beacon of the human spirit.
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