Cricketing great Sir Garfield Sobers has passed away at the age of 89. The legendary West Indies all-rounder died at his home in Barbados, bringing an end to a remarkable life that inspired generations of cricketers.
Sobers was just two weeks away from celebrating his 90th birthday on July 28. He is survived by his two sons, Daniel and Matthew, and his adopted daughter, Genevieve.
Between 1954 and 1974, Sobers played 93 Test matches for the West Indies and established himself as one of cricket’s finest all-rounders. His ability to change a match with the bat, ball or in the field made him a once-in-a-generation player.
Why Garry Sobers Was Called a ‘Five-in-One Cricketer’
Few players have earned as much respect in cricket as Sir Garfield Sobers. Australian legend Sir Donald Bradman once described him as a “five-in-one cricketer.”
The reason was simple. Sobers was much more than a world-class batter. He was an outstanding fielder and could bowl in several different styles. He could deliver left-arm fast-medium, left-arm orthodox spin and left-arm wrist spin, giving his captain several bowling options in one player.
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His versatility also allowed the West Indies to strengthen their batting without compromising their bowling attack.
Even today, one of the records he created with the bat remains untouched after 68 years.
The 68-Year-Old Record That Still Belongs to Sobers
Sir Garfield Sobers created history in 1958 by becoming the first batter in Test cricket to turn his maiden century into a triple century.
He also remains the youngest player to score a Test triple hundred, a record that still stands.
At just 21 years and 213 days old, Sobers smashed an unbeaten 365 against Pakistan at Sabina Park in Kingston. His innings broke Len Hutton’s world record for the highest individual Test score and remained the benchmark until Brian Lara scored 375 against England in 1994.
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More than six decades later, no batter has managed to score a Test triple century at a younger age than Sobers.
How Sobers Dominated Pakistan
The historic knock came during the third Test of the five-match series between the West Indies and Pakistan, played at Sabina Park in Kingston from February 26 to March 1, 1958.
Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first. Thanks to Imtiaz Ahmed’s brilliant 122, the visitors posted 328 in their first innings.
The West Indies responded in dominant fashion. Batting at No. 3, Sobers produced one of the greatest innings in Test history, finishing unbeaten on 365. His marathon knock included 38 boundaries.
Opener Conrad Hunte also played a memorable innings, scoring 260 with 28 fours and a six. The West Indies declared at a massive 790/3, taking a first-innings lead of 462 runs.
Pakistan managed 288 in their second innings before being bowled out, handing the West Indies victory by an innings and 174 runs. The hosts eventually won the five-match series 3-1.
A Record That Has Stood the Test of Time
Many of Sobers’ achievements have been matched over the years, but his record as the youngest batter to score a Test triple century continues to stand. Despite changes in the game, improvements in batting conditions and the rise of modern stars, no one has managed to break the milestone he set in Kingston in 1958.
Garry Sobers Test career
Sobers finished his Test career in 1974 after representing the West Indies for two decades.
Test Career Records
- Matches: 93
- Runs: 8,032
- Batting Average: 57.78
- Centuries: 26
- Highest Score: 365*
- Wickets: 235
- Bowling Average: 34.03
- Catches: 109
Sobers was retired as the highest run-scorer in Test cricket. The First Player to Hit Six Sixes in an Over. One of the most famous moments of Sobers’ career came in county cricket in 1968.
Playing for Nottinghamshire against Glamorgan, he smashed bowler Malcolm Nash for six sixes in a single over, becoming the first player in first-class cricket history to achieve the feat.