Cricket legend Garry Sobers dead at age 89: ‘Great innings has come to an end’

West Indies cricket great Garfield Sobers, right, chats with West Indies team members during a training session ahead of their second test cricket match against Sri Lanka in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Oct. 21, 2015. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena, File)

Garry Sobers, arguably the greatest all rounder of all time, has died aged 89, West Indies Cricket announced on Friday.

“A great innings has come to an end. In our hearts, now and forever, Sir Garfield Sobers,” West Indies Cricket posted on X above a photograph of him titled ‘Legend. Icon. Hero’.

Sobers played 93 Tests between 1954 and 1974, scored 8,032 runs at an average of 57.78 and took 235 wickets at 34.03 runs each.

In a poll of 100 cricket experts in 1999, both Australian batsman Donald Bradman and Sobers were chosen in Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the 20th Century with the West Indian all-rounder garnering 90 votes.

Bradman had an extraordinary 100 votes and yet before his own death in 2001, ‘the Don’ paid the ultimate tribute to Sobers.

“He is, in my opinion, the greatest cricketer of all time,” said Bradman.

For many he is perhaps best known for becoming the first player to hit six sixes in one over -- Glamorgan’s Malcolm Nash being the unfortunate bowler when Sobers played county cricket for Nottinghamshire.

They paid tribute to him describing him as “cricket’s greatest-ever all-rounder and an iconic figure in Nottinghamshire history”.

“We are extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Sir Garfield Sobers,” the club said.

Sobers himself, though always dignified, grew rather tired of being reminded of that feat.

“One of the things about the six sixes, which really comes over me every time somebody asks a question, or says to me, ‘I’ve just seen them’, or people always ask me about it… It makes me feel that’s the only thing I’ve ever done in the history of cricket,” he replied when answering Cricinfo readers questions in 2013.

‘Enduring legacy’

Sobers never seemingly did things by halves -- -- not satisfied with making his maiden test century he pushed on from 100 to make 365 not out against Pakistan in Kingston in 1958.

It set a new world record as the highest individual score in Test cricket -- breaking the old mark of 364 made by England’s Len Hutton in 1938.

His record would last until another West Indian master Brian Lara made 375 against England in 1994.

England also paid tribute on social media, calling Sobers “one of the greatest to ever play the game”.

“Forever in our hearts, Sir Garfield Sobers,” they added.

Former England batsman Geoffrey Boycott praised Sobers who he said “was like a panther with a purposeful, loping and confident walk”.

“I just loved the way Garry walked out to bat,” Boycott wrote in The Telegraph.

“He didn’t say anything. He did not need to. There was no ego. His walk let the opposition know he was there for business.”

Indian cricket’s governing body the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) paid a fulsome tribute as well.

“The BCCI mourns the passing of Sir Garfield Sobers, a true icon of the game and one of cricket’s greatest-ever all-rounders,” it said.

“His extraordinary achievements, lasting influence on Caribbean cricket and immeasurable contribution to the global game have left an enduring legacy that will continue to inspire generations,” they added and posted a video of Sobers interacting with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and other Indian players during the tour of West Indies in 2024.

Sobers was asked in the 2013 Cricinfo readers interview what was so magical about cricket.

“Well, I suppose cricket is a game which you have to be born into to understand the difference and the excitement of it,” he said.

“I don’t think cricket is a game that people who have never played or been involved in understand the excitement.

“It’s a game that is full of excitement, because cricket lovers follow the game and understand the basic principles and rules. They become connoisseurs of the game.”