BRIDGETOWN: Sir Garfield Sobers, widely regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket history, has died at the age of 89, Cricket West Indies confirmed on Friday.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Sobers died in Barbados, ending a career that transformed the game and established him as one of cricket’s most complete players.
Sobers represented the West Indies in 93 Test matches between 1954 and 1974, scoring 8,032 runs at an average of 57.78 and taking 235 wickets at an average of 34.03. Renowned for his ability to bowl both pace and spin, he was also considered one of the finest fielders of his era.
Australian great Sir Donald Bradman famously described Sobers as a “five-in-one cricketer” because of his extraordinary versatility.
The ICC’s Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy, awarded annually to the world’s best men’s cricketer across all formats, is named in his honor.
In a tribute posted on X, Cricket West Indies said, “A great innings has come to an end.”
Sobers made his first-class debut at the age of 16 during the 1952-53 season and earned his Test debut against England in Jamaica a year later, beginning a legendary international career that inspired generations of cricketers.