The debut of three W's — Sir Everton Weekes, Clyde Walcott and Sir Frank Worrell — about 60 years ago, changed the face of cricket in the West Indies and also the world. These three legends from the tiny island of Barbados in West Indies made a significant contribution to the legacy of West Indian cricket, with bat, ball and above all their gamesmanship during the years 1948 – 1960.
The highest rank among the immortal three W's was Weekes, who was the best all round. He was an attacking batsman with a vast array of strokes. Weekes played 48 test matches with a batting average of as high as 58.61 runs. In the 1950's he scored five centuries in five consecutive test matches against England and India. It is still a test record.
Walcott, a tall man with broad shoulders, drove with power, especially off the back foot, and he could hook and cut with ease. In full flow, he was one of the most intimidating sights in cricket. He played an instrumental role in the first West Indies victory on English soil at Lord's in 1950, scoring 168 not out. He played 44 test matches for his country with an average of 56.68 runs.
While Walcott hammered the bowlers and Weekes dominated them, Worrell was the artist with style and elegance. Worrell faced Lindwall and Miller, the then famous speedsters of Australia with calmness, and even when he ducked beneath a bouncer, he did so with great dignity and lack of panic. Worrell played 51 test matches with an average of 49.48 runs and took 69 wickets at an average of 38.72 runs, thus proving a successful all rounder of the team. His greatest contribution was that as the captain of the West Indies team he put an end to the cliques and rivalries between the players of different races from various islands and welded together a team which in the span of five years became the champions of the world. More than all this, Worrell distinguished himself as a thorough gentleman cricketer and also established a reputation for fair play throughout the world.
From humble beginnings in Barbados, the great three W's brought to the world the thrill and joy of cricket. The bowlers dreaded to bowl to them, and the captains of the opposing teams found it difficult to set a field for them, but it was great fun watching them play. More than the scintillating performance these three great players have proved to the world that cricket should be played with gamesmanship, mutual appreciation and friendship.
In the process they lost no friends, made no enemies and earned respect from one and all. Will the world retain this characteristic charm of competitive cricket?
