WICB, former greats pay tribute to Sir Clyde Walcott

St John's, Antigua, Aug 27 (UNI) The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and former greats Everton Weekes and Reverend Wes Hall paid their tributes to ex-ICC President and batting legend Sir Clyde Walcott, who passed away in Barbados yesterday.

Sir Clyde represented the West Indies from 1948 to 1960, playing in 44 Tests and was one of the three W's (Worrell, Walcott and Weekes) with an outstanding batting average of 56.68 including 15 hundreds.

''The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) views the passing of Sir Clyde Walcott with deep regret,'' the board said in its condolence message.

Sir Clyde, who was also the only West Indian to have served as President of the ICC, died in a Barbados hospital yesterday.

WICB President Kenneth Gordon said Sir Clyde was one of the greats of West Indies cricket and one who served selflessly.

''Sir Clyde was one of my closest personal friends and he will be remembered for his unique contribution as a player, coach, commentator and administrator,'' Gordon said.

Meanwhile, former West Indies pacer, Reverend Wes Hall praised Sir Clyde and said the legendary batsman served the Caribbean cricket well during his tenure as the WICB President.

''He never missed a meeting. He was ultra supportive,'' Hall told CMC Sport after Sir Clyde's death.

''He was the manager and selector of the West Indian teams that became the embodiment of world cricket supremacy. He was very well respected worldwide. He raised the bar immensely in terms of his administrative assignments not only here in Barbados but around the world,'' Hall added.

Sir Clyde was the youngest of the legendary three W's and his death leaves just one survivor, Sir Everton Weekes, from the famous trioka after Sir Frank Worrell died in 1967.

''He was a great cricketer in every sense of the word,'' Hall said.

Hall was joined by Sir Everton as the West Indies mourned the death of the legendary cricketer. Sir Everton said the former wicketkeepr was a ''true friend and a great man''.

''He made a tremendous contribution to world cricket as a player and as an administrator,'' Sir Everton who played with Sir Clyde for over 20 years told CMC Sports.

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