Sir Garfield St Aubrun Sobers

Garry Sobers was a cricket genius who excelled in all facets of the game, and few would argue his claim to be the best all-around player in modern cricket.

He was an excellent bowler. Sobers excelled in most sports, playing basketball, golf, and soccer for Barbados. He made his first-class debut at 16, and he made appearances in Tests a year later. His accomplishments are numerous, notably the six consecutive sixes he smashed off an unfortunate Malcolm Nash over and a brilliant 254 against Australia in 1971 that won Don Bradman's acclaim.

He was recognized as "The Wisden Cricketer of the Century" in 2000 by a panel of 100 experts.

Personal Information

Born: 28 July 1936 Nationality: Australia
Years Active: (1954–1974) Birth Place: Bridgetown, Barbados
Height: 5ft 11in Role: All-rounder
Batting Style: Left-handed Bowling Style: Left-arm fast-medium
Nickname: Sir Garry Sobers or Sir Garry  

Sir Garfield’s Journey

Family

In September 1969, he was married to Prue Kirby. They had Genevieve as an adoptive daughter and Matthew and Daniel, as two sons. After their breakup in 1984, the marriage ended in divorce in 1990; nonetheless, Sobers obtained dual Australian citizenship through marriage in 1980.

He claims that his family was quite athletic and that they were all proficient in tennis, basketball, football, and table tennis.

Golf is his personal sport of choice, and he has always been a passionate gambler. He wrote the cricket-themed children's book Bonaventure and the Flashing Blade, in which computer analysis makes a college cricket team invincible.

Ascend to Glory

Sir Garfield served as the captain of the West Indies cricket team for thirty-nine matches between 1965 and 1972. Additionally, he led the Barbados team from 1966 to 1967, Nottinghamshire from 1968 to 1971, and the Rest of the World for two trips, one to Australia and the other to England.

He has so much to enjoy as a captain that in 1964, the squad won a series against Australia for the first time. West Indies defeated England in 1966 by a score of 3-1, with one game being tied. He was acclaimed as "King Cricket" after this victory.

Sir Garfield is regarded as a significant national icon and hero. His image was featured on a Barbados Independence Postage Stamp in 1966.

Statistics and Records

Sobers played 93 Tests for the West Indies in all, amassing 8032 runs at an average of 57.78 and 235 wickets at an average of 34.03 while scoring runs at a rate of 57.78.

He ranks fifth among cricketers with more than 5,000 runs in terms of batting average in Test matches. He played in 383 first-class matches, scoring over 28,000 runs and claiming over 1000 wickets. He later played for South Australia and Nottinghamshire.

Sir Garfield set certain records that are still valid. He made a remarkable three hundred and sixty-five (365 not out) at the age of 21, which wasn't surpassed for 36 years. Brian Lara scored (375 not-out) points in 1994.

Career Journey

Garry Sobers was a great icon. Donald Bradman famously referred to him as a "five-in-one cricketer" because of his versatility.

As he readily reveals in his autobiography, Sobers battled with bottles for years at the start of a promising career. His close buddy O.G. "Collie" Smith was injured in a car accident in 1959 that Sobers was driving, and he later passed away.

Sir Garfield set certain records that are still valid. He made a remarkable three hundred and sixty-five (365 not out) at the age of 21, which wasn't surpassed for 36 years. Brian Lara scored (375 not-out) points in 1994.

Sir Garfield became the first batsman to hit six sixes in a six-ball over. Sir Garfield Sobers retired from cricket in 1974 because the cartilage in his knee started to wear out.

Honors and Awards

Queen Elizabeth II honored Garfield Sobers with the knighthood at the Garrison Savannah rather than Buckingham Palace in 1975.

Sobers received the honorific title "The Right Excellent" when the Cabinet of Barbados designated him a National Hero of Barbados in 1998. Only ten persons, including him, have gotten this honor, and he is the only one who is still alive.

Career Statistics

Sir Garfield Sobers, a true role model, and hero is embedded in the hearts of Barbadians and cricketers worldwide.

ODI
Matches: 1 Run Scored: 0
Batting Average: 0 Top Score: 0
100/50: 0 Wickets: 1
T20
Matches: 93 Run Scored: 8032
Batting Average: 57.78 Top Score: 365
100/50: 26/30 Wickets: 235
Test
Matches: 93 Run Scored: 8032
Batting Average: 57.78 Top Score: 365
100/50: 26/30 Wickets: 235

Image Gallery

Sir Garfield’s Cricket Glimpses