Nestled in the park outside the 3Ws Oval in Barbados, the busts of three legendary cricketers – Frank Worrell, Clyde Walcott, and Everton Weekes – stand as a testament to a glorious era of Caribbean cricket. These three giants of the game, renowned as some of the best batsmen of their generation, were born within a short distance of each other on the island. Across the road, the 3Ws Oval itself, named in their honor, sits on the University of the West Indies Cave Hill campus. This quaint ground, guarded by a massive statue of stumps overlooking the green outfield, serves as a constant reminder of the achievements of these legendary figures.
The exploits of the ‘Three Ws’ are etched in cricket folklore. In the late 1940s, this trio ushered in a new era for West Indies cricket, a time that saw a resurgence of talent and a departure from the single world-class batsman they had previously relied upon, George Headley. Sir Frank Worrell, the first black cricketer to captain the West Indies team, led the side on their historic 1960-61 tour of Australia. His immense popularity led to the creation of the perpetual Frank Worrell Trophy, awarded to the winner of the West Indies-Australia Test series.
Clyde Walcott, arguably the best batsman in the world during the 1950s, reached the pinnacle of his career after relinquishing his wicketkeeping duties to focus solely on scoring runs. Everton Weekes, a powerful stroke player, holds a world record that continues to stand undefeated: five consecutive centuries in Test innings. The 3Ws Oval stands as a poignant reminder of a bygone era, a time when Caribbean cricket reached unparalleled heights of brilliance and left an indelible mark on the sport’s history.
