Famous three W's in the world of cricket

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?