Everton Weekes: One of the Three Ws and West Indies' Great Batter
Sir Everton Weekes was one of the legendary 'Three Ws' of West Indian cricket — along with Frank Worrell and Clyde Walcott — and holds the record for five consecutive Test centuries, one of cricket's most remarkable batting streaks.
Sir Everton de Courcey Weekes was one of the greatest batters in cricket history and one of the legendary 'Three Ws' — along with Frank Worrell and Clyde Walcott — who formed the backbone of West Indian batting from the late 1940s to the early 1960s. Born in Bridgetown, Barbados in 1925, Weekes played 48 Tests scoring 4,455 runs at an average of 58.61 with 15 centuries. His average is among the highest in Test cricket history for batters with over 2,000 runs. In 1948-49, Weekes scored five consecutive Test centuries — an achievement that has never been equalled in Test cricket. The sequence came against England and India; a disputed run-out in the sixth innings, when he was on 90, prevented what would have been a sixth consecutive century, though many cricket historians believe he would have been given not out under modern television review.
Five Consecutive Centuries
Weekes' five consecutive Test centuries — against England in 1947-48 and India in 1948-49 — began with 141 at Kingston against England and continued through 128, 194, 162 and 101 against India in successive innings. The streak remains a world record in Test cricket. In the next innings, Weekes was run out for 90 in circumstances that umpires of the time judged out — his teammate is believed to have incorrectly called him for a run — which denied him what might have been a sixth consecutive hundred.
Batting Style and Technique
Weekes was compact, strong and an exceptional driver of the ball, particularly through the off side. He was also a fine puller of short-pitched bowling and had the ability to accelerate when required — uncommon in an era when most Test batting was relatively sedate. His techniques against both pace and spin were sound, and he is remembered as one of the most complete batters West Indies produced.
Frequently asked questions
What is Everton Weekes' Test batting average?
Weekes scored 4,455 Test runs at an average of 58.61 with 15 centuries in 48 Tests — an average that places him among the top five batters in Test cricket history by career average. His 15 centuries in 48 Tests is a century-per-innings rate exceeded only by Bradman among prolific Test batters.
What is the record for consecutive Test centuries?
Everton Weekes holds the record for five consecutive Test centuries, scored between 1947-48 and 1948-49 against England and India. No batter has equalled this record in Test cricket. Weekes was run out for 90 in the sixth innings, denied the chance of a sixth consecutive hundred by what his colleagues believed was a poor run-out decision.
Who were the 'Three Ws' in West Indian cricket?
The Three Ws were Frank Worrell, Everton Weekes and Clyde Walcott — three Barbadian batters who played together for West Indies from the late 1940s to the early 1960s. All three were outstanding batters with Test averages above 40, and all three were eventually knighted. They collectively defined a golden era of West Indian batting.