CABThe Cricket Association of Bengal

Everton Weekes to feature in Cricket Museum at Eden Gardens


2nd July 2020
The Cricket Association of Bengal, while mourning the demise of West Indian legend Sir Everton Weekes, today announced that the iconic cricketer would feature in the soon to come up Cricket Museum at Eden Gardens.
The ICC Hall of Famer passed away on Wedensday at the age of 95. Weekes was the last of the famous 'Three Ws' a trio of West Indian batting legends whose lives became irrevocably entwined. The other two being Frank Worrell and Clyde Walcott.
"Everton Weekes was a huge name in cricket. His loss is deeply felt in the world of sports. He is especially remembered by all of us here for being the first person to score an International century at Eden Gardens in Independent India. We have decided that his name would feature prominently in the Cricket Museum which would be set up at Eden Gardens, the work of which would commence once the pandemic is over," said CAB President Avishek Dalmiya.
The CAB also plans to have a small feature on that Test Match during its Annual Awards Ceremony. Speaking on this, the CAB President stated, “We would remember that historic test which happened for the first time at Eden Gardens after Indian Independence during Annual Awards Ceremony later this year.
Since we would be felicitating the Senior Bengal Cricket Team on becoming the Ranji finalists during 2019-2020 season in that event, we would be also be remembering Late Mantu Banerjee’s contribution in that match. We would also be highlighting Late Banerjee’s contribution to Bengal Cricket since one has to remember that he had been the highest wicket taker during the 1952 / 53 season where Bengal lost to Holkar in the Ranji Final at Eden Gardens by a whisker.”
Sudangsu Mantu Banerjee played only one Test, the one in which Weekes became the first overseas batsman to score twin tons in a Test in Independent India. Mantu Banerjee remains one of the eight men with five wickets and three catches on Test debut. He never donned the Indian colors again.
Talking about Weekes, Hony CAB Secretary Snehasish Ganguly said: " Legends like Sir Everton Weekes comes rarely. The people of Calcutta were fortunate to see him play at Eden Gardens. I have heard often about him from my grandfather. Perhaps the most famous of the Three Ws, he had a century at Eden also and if we can get some memorabilia of Sir Weekes in our proposed museum it will be a shrine for cricket lovers. I will also urge the young cricketers to read up about him try to get inspired by his achievements. To score over 4000 runs from just 81 Tests and with the kind of bat they used then speaks volumes about his talent. I am really sad today."
The Hony Secretary further added: "We would remember Sir Weekes's outstanding contribution during our Annual Awards Ceremony. We will also remember Mantu Banerjee's contributions in that Test for his five wicket feat and his services to Bengal cricket in general."




CAB MEDIA DESK
Arindam Basu