WIPA salutes Sir Wesley Hall

In his heyday, the 74-year-old Sir Wesley played 48 Tests, taking 192 wickets at an average of 26.38, in a career spanning 11 years. (Photo: canindia.com)

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Wednesday June 20, 2012 - Chief Executive Officer of the West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) Michael Hall has extended congratulations to legendary West Indies cricketer Reverend Wes Hall on his knighthood.

This followed the recent announcement by the government of Barbados that the West Indies icon would be made a Knight Bachelor at the Queen’s annual honour list for his contribution to cricket.

“WIPA is extremely pleased to hear the news of this honour being bestowed on the Reverend Wes Hall. Irrespective of one’s personal view about the ‘validity’ of such an honour, there can be no denying the validity of the body of work as a cricket player and administrator, spiritual leader and public servant for which he is being honoured,” said the WIPA head.

In his heyday, the 74-year-old Sir Wesley played 48 Tests, taking 192 wickets at an average of 26.38, in a career spanning 11 years. He was a ruthless fast bowler and figured prominently in the historic tied Test against Australia in 1960-61, bowling the dramatic final over.

He also served West Indies cricket as a selector, manager and president of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), from 2001 to 2003.

The WIPA CEO pointed out that it was not only the former West Indies pacer’s contribution on the field of play, but the impact he made as president of the WICB, where he was instrumental in establishing the first Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) in the history of West Indies cricket, which he said ought to be highlighted when considering his legacy.

“Wes Hall is first and foremost a people person, and he certainly was a ‘players’ president’ as head of the WICB. I had the pleasure of working in his administration, and remember clearly his constant desire to make sure that the players had what they needed to perform at their best. He played a pivotal role in the drafting and eventual agreement of the first ever CBA in West Indies cricket history, and was adamant that players should always have a mechanism in place which protected their rights and allowed their grievances to be heard.

“WIPA’s Executive and membership salutes Sir Wesley on the announcement of his knighthood,” he said.  Click here to receive free news bulletins via email from Caribbean360. (View sample)