Former West Indies cricket captain Sir Garfield Sobers has died at the age of 89, West Indies Cricket announced on Friday.
“A great innings has ended. In our hearts, now and forever, Sir Garfield Sobers,” West Indies Cricket said in a post on Twitter.
One of the greatest cricket players of all time
Sobers is considered one of the game’s all-time greats and was an excellent fielder with his powerful top-order batting, medium pace and ability to bowl spin.
Sobers represented the West Indies in an international career spanning two decades from 1954 to 1974.
Garfield St. Aubrunn Sobers was born on July 28, 1936 in St. Michael, Barbados, the fifth of six children.
He made his first-class debut for Barbados in 1953 at the age of 16, and played his first Test for the West Indies in 1954.
At the age of 21, Sobers scored his first century against Pakistan and scored 365 not out, the highest individual Test innings at that time.
Sobers scored 8,032 runs at the crease in his 93 Test matches at an average of 57.78. His versatile bowling ability led him to take 235 wickets at an average of 34.03 runs, while in fielding he took 109 Test match catches.
Sobers was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in Bridgetown, Barbados for his services to cricket, which reportedly attracted 50,000 spectators.
Tribute to sporting icons
“One of the game’s greatest cricketers, Sir Garfield Sobers, has sadly passed away,” the International Cricket Council said in a post on Twitter.
England Cricket also paid tribute to Sobers with a social media post calling him “one of the greatest players to ever play the game”.
“Always in our hearts, Sir Garfield Sobers,” England Cricket said in a post on Twitter.
Edited by: Rana Taha
Don’t let algorithms hide news. If you trust our team for reliable reporting, please take a moment to select us as your preferred source on Google click here And press the “Star” or “Favorite” button, so you always see our verified news first.