Sir Garfield Sobers has died on the age of 89, Cricket West Indies has announced.
Barbados-born Sobers, who’s widely thought to be one in all the best cricketers ever to play the sport, played for the West Indies for 20 years.
He made each his first and last Test appearances in 1954 and 1974 respectively against England.
An announcement on Windies Cricket’s official X account simply said: “A terrific innings has come to an end. In our hearts, now and endlessly, Sir Garfield Sobers.”
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PICTURE: PA
Iconic figure
Perhaps modern cricket’s finest all-rounder, Garfield St Aubrun Sobers, was a chic batsman, a flexible bowler, an excellent fielder and a respected captain.
He died just 11 days wanting his ninetieth birthday
In all, he made 93 Test appearances and scored 8,032 runs at a mean of 57.78. Meanwhile, his 235 wickets got here at a value of 34.03.
He burst on to the scene with Barbados, making his first-class debut as a 16-year-old. Sobers was then elevated to the West Indies ranks a yr later.
Nevertheless, he was 23 by the point he registered his first Test century, a world record 365 against Pakistan.
Sobers is maybe best remembered in England, where we spent six seasons with Nottinghamshire from 1968 to 1974, for the six successive sixes he hit in a single over from Glamorgan’s Malcolm Nash.
Nottinghamshire said in a press release on their official X account: “Cricket’s greatest-ever all-rounder, and an iconic figure in Nottinghamshire history.
“We’re extremely saddened to listen to of the passing of Sir Garfield Sobers.”
PICTURE: Philip Toscano/PA
Eternally in our hearts
News of Sobers’ death sparked an outpouring of heat for a cricketer who transcended national loyalties.
England Cricket posted on X: “One among the best to ever play the sport. Eternally in our hearts, Sir Garfield Sobers.”
There have been tributes too from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
A post on X read: “The BCCI mourns the passing of Sir Garfield Sobers, a real icon of the sport and one in all cricket’s greatest-ever all-rounders.
“His extraordinary achievements, lasting influence on Caribbean cricket and immeasurable contribution to the worldwide game have left an everlasting legacy that may proceed to encourage generations.
“Our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the worldwide cricketing fraternity. May his soul rest in peace.”
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