West Indies Players - Wes Hall

Wesley Winfield Hall is one of the greats of Westresulted in a fast arm action that hurled deliveries at
Indies cricket. In his prime, he was a fearsome fastover 90 miles per hour at batsmen- deliveries that
bowler - in terms of not only his wicket-taking abilitywere evidently well directed. One of Hall's 192 Test
but also the danger he posed to typically unprotectedwickets came during the last over of the first-ever tied
batsmen. The partnership of Hall and Griffith was aTest match (against Australia at Brisbane). His last
precursor to the West Indian pace machine of the lateover is one of cricket's enduring stories.
70s and 80s and was much like the partnership ofWith the bat, Hall was somewhat productive at Test
Ambrose and Walsh in the 90s. 'Wes' Hall was not justlevel, underscoring his batting potential. He scored two
a legend of West Indies cricket but a vibrantTest half-centuries and even scored a First class
administrator as well. His passion for the gamecentury. His batting average at Test level was a
generally preceded him.respectable 15.73- not bad for a lower order batsman.
Born in St. Michael, Barbados on September 12th, 1937,Wes Hall played 170 First class matches for teams like
Wes Hall initially began playing cricket as aBarbados, Queensland and West Indies. An interesting
wicketkeeper-batsman. Cricinfo's Martin Williamsonfootnote is that, in his later years, Hall played for
recounted that Hall converted to a bowler when theTrinidad and Tobago on the West Indies domestic
regular new ball bowler for his club side failed to showcircuit. That was interesting because he is a
up. His returns were immediately impressive and heborn-and-raised Barbadian.
became one of the eminent fast bowlers for theHall was president of the WICB for a short period that
West Indies in the 60s - after making his Test debutcommenced in 2001. He was also a minister of
against India in Mumbai on November 28th, 1958. Hallgovernment and religion - going by the title of
went on to play 48 Test matches between 1958 and"Reverend Wes Hall." His affable nature and effusive
1969, ending his international career against Newuse of language belies his past as a tall, lean and
Zealand in Auckland.feared fast bowler of the 60s. A sportsman, politician
Hall garnered a spectacular return of 192 Test wicketsand religious leader - Wes Hall will remain a true legend
at an average of 26.38 from his 48 matches - a returnof cricket- not just in the West Indies.
of exactly four wickets per Test. His tall, lean frame