GOODBYE SIR EVERTON

By Corey Greaves 

The rain could not stop countless Barbadians from saying their last farewell to the legendary West Indies and Barbados cricket icon, Sir Everton Weekes, at Empire yesterday.

Sir Everton died quietly at his home, Chancery Lane, Christ Church earlier this month and he was a member of the Empire Cricket club which was the location for the first public viewing.

As those who made the trip entered the Empire Club house, they were taken on a pictorial journey of some of Sir Everton’s many highlights throughout his outstanding career. At the top of the room he had a ceremonial guard of honour which consisted of the junior cricketers, the Elite and senior cricketers, the female hockey team and the St. Leonard’s Old Scholars all of whom took turns throughout the evening. 

Speaking at the viewing former cricket Rawle Brancker said that Sir Everton provided everything for him when it came to education and him not having a University professor. 

Brancker recalled that Sir Everton was a philosopher and he understood life and not only cricket. Brancker said that Sir Everton encouraged fair play and was a man of few words.

Brancker said one time he was on 96 runs and he tipped the ball through to the “Keeper, Sir Everton walked down the wicket and said ‘Lil man, why you standing up? You giving the umpire more work than he needs to have. You know you tip the ball get from France from out here”.

“He (Sir Everton) said the world doesn’t have any room for dishonesty. So if you know you are out, you know that better than any umpire so walk, don’t give the umpire any problems, walk.”

Furthermore, whenever Sir Everton spoke there was wisdom and depth in whatever he said and his life has paved the way for many of us to follow. 

Brancker also recalled Sir Everton coaching them as well as being the captain at Empire and Barbados. One was able to stop him and ask him any question. 

Sir Everton was the first Barbadian to be acknowledged to be the best at anything in the world and he did that twice as he was considered the best batsman in the world. 

Sir Everton, who scored 4,455 runs at an average of 58.61 in 48 Tests, is the only man to make five consecutive centuries in Test innings, which occurred between March and December 1948.

He was a member of the formidable ‘3Ws’, which included fellow West Indies greats Sir Clyde Walcott and Sir Frank Worrell.

Sir Everton played 48 Test matches between January 21, 1948 and March 31, 1958. He passed 1,000 Test runs in 12 innings to eventually finish with a tally of 4,455 runs including 15 centuries and 19 half-centuries, at an average of 58.61. His highest score was 207. He also took 49 catches.

His average of 58.61 is second only to the great George Headley’s 60.83 in the West Indies batting stars, seventh on the overall list.

In 152 first-class matches, Weekes amassed 12,010 runs with 36 hundreds and 54 half-centuries including a highest of 304 (avg: 55.34).