Former West Indies allrounder Garry Sobers passes away

Sir Garfield Sobers, the all-rounder of the West Indies who held the reputation of being the best-ever cricketer, has passed away at his residence in Barbados at the age of 89.

He was considered the greatest all-rounder and the most talented cricketer who had ever participated in the sport. Not only did he excel in batting, but he was also good at left-arm fast bowling, orthodox and wrist spinning and proved himself to be an excellent fielder and wicketkeeper.

Garfield Sobers appeared in 93 Test matches for West Indies from 1954 to 1974, scoring 8032 runs with an average of 57.78, along with taking 235 wickets at an average of 34.03. The highest annual individual award given by the International Cricket Council in men’s cricket is the Sir Garfield Sobers Award.

“A great innings is over. In our hearts, always and forever, Sir Garfield Sobers,” posted Cricket West Indies on X.

Sobers’ first-class cricket career began in 1952-53 when he was just 16 years old, followed by his Test debut in 1953-54 against England in Jamaica, where he managed 14 and 26 as a ninth-wicket batsman and took four wickets for 75 runs in England’s first innings.

Sobers debuted as a bowler in Tests, but at the age of 23, he not only scored his first Test century but also set a world record by scoring 365 runs against Pakistan at Sabina Park in 1958. This was a record which lasted until 1994 when Brian Lara surpassed it.