The Indian maestro himself may have admitted to as much in the media, but Everton Weekes, one of the famed three Ws of the West Indies, is not ready to agree with Sachin Tendulkar on the point that he has failed to win more matches for India.

"It is ridiculous. In cricket, the duty of a batsman is to score runs and that of the bowlers is to take wickets. You need 20 wickets to win a Test match. If the bowlers fail to get wickets, will the batsmen pick them?," reasons Weekes. "For Sachin, I am only concerned about whether he is getting runs. Since he is getting runs, he is doing his duty. If the Indian bowlers fail to pick wickets, what he can do? And, in that case, how can India win Tests? Moreover, you can't make Sachin responsible for the inability of your bowlers. Is he expected to take wickets to win Tests?"

When it was pointed out that, in the last six innings, Tendulkar had fallen to spin, Weekes opines that it was "a coincidence. You can't say that he is susceptible against spin bowling. He has played quality spinners with authority and got runs against every kind of bowling. So I have no problems with his batting."

To Weekes, Sunil Gavaskar is the best opener. "I have never seen such a compact opener. His technique, temperament and dedication were beyond comparison. And having seen Sachin, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman bat at Guyana, I can safely say that they are representing the country once represented by Sunny. They have that stamp in their batting-style."

In his list of the six best batsmen at the moment, Tendulkar is there; so is Brian Lara. But he does not disclose the order they take. "I can't say; rather, I won't. I am 73 now and very much reluctant to lose sleep over such issues. I don't want to receive phone-calls from other parts of the world for an explanation of my statements," is his straight-forward reply.

Who is the best batsman in the history of the game? "Sir Garfield Sobers, without any doubt. I want to say that he is the best cricketer in the history of the game. Here I am not at all bothered about what others are saying."

When asked to comment on the ongoing series, Weekes says, "Those who will bowl better will win. It is as simple as it. Our strength was bowling, but now we are lagging behind. But I liked the way Mahendra Nagamootoo had Sachin at Guyana. It was quicker than the previous delivery, and Sachin failed to pick the speed. Even the previous delivery was a superb one - pitching outside off-stump, it turned and went to Chris Gayle, just kissing Sachin's bat – wonderful."

Weekes was knighted three years ago, and he says, "It was a great feeling. When people announce 'Sir' before my name, I can't express how I feel. It might not fetch money – I am a poor fellow – but the honour is of the highest order. I was really a proud man to receive it." At 73, Everton Weekes is a satisfied man.

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