Image via WikipediaBorn in St. Michael, Barbados on September 12th, 1937, Wes Hall initially began playing cricket as a wicketkeeper-batsman. Cricinfo's Martin Williamson recounted that Hall converted to a bowler when the regular new ball bowler for his club side failed to show up. His returns were immediately impressive and he became one of the eminent fast bowlers for the West Indies in the 60s - after making his Test debut against India in Mumbai on November 28th, 1958. Hall went on to play 48 Test matches between 1958 and 1969, ending his international career against New Zealand in Auckland. Hall garnered a spectacular return of 192 Test wickets at an average of 26.38 from his 48 matches - a return of exactly four wickets per Test. His tall, lean frame resulted in a fast arm action that hurled deliveries at over 90 miles per hour at batsmen- deliveries that were evidently well directed. One of Hall's 192 Test wickets came during the last over of the first-ever tied Test match (against Australia at Brisbane). His last over is one of cricket's enduring stories.
With the bat, Hall was somewhat productive at Test level, underscoring his batting potential. He scored two Test half-centuries and even scored a First class century. His batting average at Test level was a respectable 15.73- not bad for a lower order batsman. Wes Hall played 170 First class matches for teams like Barbados, Queensland and West Indies. An interesting footnote is that, in his later years, Hall played for Trinidad and Tobago on the West Indies domestic circuit. That was interesting because he is a born-and-raised Barbadian.
Hall was president of the WICB for a short period that commenced in 2001. He was also a minister of government and religion - going by the title of "Reverend Wes Hall." His affable nature and effusive use of language belies his past as a tall, lean and feared fast bowler of the 60s. A sportsman, politician and religious leader - Wes Hall will remain a true legend of cricket- not just in the West Indies.
