Sir Clyde Leopold Walcott, O.B.E.
January 17, 1926, in New Orleans, St. Michael, Barbados
Barbados, British Guiana, West Indies, F. M. Worrell’s XI, The Rest XI and Commonwealth XI
The legendary Walcott played in 44 Tests, scoring 3,798 runs, including 15 centuries and 14 half-centuries, with a top score of 220, averaging 56.68. In 1955 he set a record of 827 runs in a single series against Australia. In that series he scored a total of 5 centuries, including a feat achieved by no other player in history when at both Port of Spain and Kingston he scored centuries in each innings of the two Tests. He represented Barbados and West Indies with distinction as a powerful batsman, wicket-keeper and bowler. Later he was a selector and manager of the West Indies team, as well as president of the Guyana Cricket Board, the West Indies Cricket Board and head of the International Cricket Council. Named a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1958, he was knighted in 1994 for his contribution to cricket.
On the field of play, Walcott was a giant of a man. Standing at 6 feet 3 inches, he hit the ball powerfully, especially off the back foot. One of the finest moments of his illustrious career came at Lord’s in 1950 when he made a brilliant 168 not out off the England bowlers. This helped the West Indies to record their first victory at the home of cricket. He, Sir Frank Worrell and Sir Everton Weekes formed the famous Three Ws, a triumvirate of batting experts, who carried with them the hopes, dreams and aspirations of Caribbean people all over the world.
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