St John’s, Antigua – Cricket in the West Indies recently lost one of its faithful servants, as former Test umpire Andrew Weekes passed away in his native St Kitts. He was 72 years old.

An outstanding match official, educator and statesman, Weekes stood in four Tests and three One-Day Internationals. His first Test was when West Indies hosted India at the Antigua Recreation Ground in 1983 and his last assignment was when the West Indies played against England at the same venue in 1990.

He was the first person from St Kitts to become a qualified international umpire, was a former President of the St Kitts and Nevis Umpires Association, and a member of the West Indies Cricket Umpires Association. He also held a senior role in the administration when Warner Park in St Kitts hosted matches during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007.

Dr Julian Hunte, President of the West Indies Cricket Board, offered condolences to the friends and family of Weekes as well as the members of the regional umpiring fraternity.

“It is with great sadness that I learned about the passing of Mr Andrew Weekes. On behalf of the WICB and the cricketing family across the West Indies I send condolences to his family and loved ones,” said Dr Hunte.

“He was one of the outstanding umpires in the Caribbean during the 1980s and early 1990s. He did some tremendous work with the development of the game in St Kitts and also was one of the leading match officials in the Shell Shield and regional limited-overs tournaments.”

Dr Hunte added: “He was a giant of a man and stood firmly to ensure that the game was played in the right spirit and all the laws and rules were adhered to. He represented all that is good about the great game of cricket.

“He loved the game and he also dedicated a lot of time and energy to educating the people of his country. Excellence was his hallmark. For four decades he one of the leading educators on the island of St Kitts and helped to with the development of thousands of young lives. He was a true pioneer, ambassador and shining example for others to emulate.”

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