West Indies cricket legend Sir Garry Sobers dies aged 89
West Indies cricket legend Sir Garry Sobers dies aged 89
Legendary former West Indies all-rounder Sir Garfield Sobers, regarded as one of the greatest cricketers of all time, has died aged 89.
Sobers played 93 Tests between 1954 and 1974, scored 8,032 runs and took 235 wickets.
An entertaining left-handed batter, Sobers scored 365 not out against Pakistan in 1958 – an effort which stood as the record Test score for 36 years. He was also a brilliantly versatile bowler, who bowled spin and seam.
Sobers, who also played county cricket for Nottinghamshire, was knighted for his services to cricket in 1975. He was also named one of Wisden’s five cricketers of the 20th century.
During his stint at Nottinghamshire in 1968, Sobers became the first player to hit a six off all six balls in an over in a first-class match. A period of celebration will be held in memory of Sobers before Nottinghamshire’s T20 Blast semi-final against Hampshire at Edgbaston on Saturday.
The club described Sobers as “cricket’s greatest-ever all-rounder and an iconic figure in Nottinghamshire history”.
“We are extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Sir Garfield Sobers,” Notts added.
England also paid tribute on social media, calling Sobers “one of the greatest to ever play the game”.
“Forever in our hearts, Sir Garfield Sobers,” they added.