Cricket lost one of its most legendary figures on Friday with West Indies great Sir Garfield Sobers passing away at the age of 89.
Sobers appeared in 93 Tests between 1954 and 1974, scoring 8,032 runs – with his 26 hundreds including a best of 365 not out against Pakistan in Jamaica in 1958 – and taking 235 wickets.
The Barbados-born superstar also became the first player to hit six sixes in an over in first-class cricket during a game for Nottinghamshire against Glamorgan in August 1968.
As Sobers was remembered during the final ODI between England and Lord’s on Sunday, a host of big cricketing names shared their memories of a true titan…
‘The most amazing person I have ever met’
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West Indies great Sir Brian Lara paid tribute to Sir Garfield Sobers
West Indies legend Sir Brian Lara:
“He was a father figure, a general, a mentor in my life, so even though I am sad, 89 is a great score. I want to tell the whole of the Caribbean that we need to celebrate his life.
“In each era of West Indies cricket there is a different motivational factor. Sir Clive Lloyd and Sir Vivian Richards wanted to be the best team in the world.
“But I read that in the 50s and 60s it was about making ourselves independent of English rule and Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Frank Worrall, Sir Wes Hall fought for a different purpose.
“Sir Garfield is the most amazing person I have ever met. Just unbelievable.”
‘He could do everything better than everybody else’
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Sky Sports’ Michal Atherton and Ravi Shastri look at Sobers’ legacy
Sky Sports Cricket’s Michael Atherton:
“For people who saw him play, there was this otherworldly quality about his cricket. He could do everything better than everybody else.
“His batting was touched by genius, he bowled rapid in-swingers, orthodox left-arm spin, wrist-spin and was a great close catcher.
“Not only was he the best, he looked the best – shirt unbuttoned down to the navel, collar up. Fantastic cricketer.
“He brought great hope to the region. West Indies was going through independence and they looked to Sobers and others as players that brought the region great pride.
“He finished in the 1970s and that led to the great era of Caribbean cricket under Clive Lloyd and Viv Richards, A great link, a great heritage and a sad loss.”
‘A humble and larger-than-life character’
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Barbados-born Jacob Bethell’s innings of 91 for England against India at Lord’s featured plenty of Sobers-esque Caribbean flair
England batter – and Sobers’ fellow Bajan – Jacob Bethell:
“He was a larger-than-life character, whether around the golf club when I used to go and play a couple of rounds with him or in and around the cricket stuff that I witnessed.
“First of all, he was a very humble guy that just everybody gravitated towards.
“Every time he walked into anywhere, the place would come alive. It was unbelievable to be able to spend a bit of time with him and be around someone of that calibre.
“The major helping point for me personally was helping me get over to England. [The reference he wrote] helped me a lot to get over here and do what I’m doing now.”
‘He inspired people all around the world to play cricket’
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Sobers – who played 93 Tests for West Indies between 1954 and 1974 – passes away on Friday
Sky Sports Cricket’s Stuart Broad:
“Legend, icon – all the words that have been said about him already ring true. He inspired people all around the world to play the game.
“He had a natural flair and love of the game and think how many people have played cricket because of him and the way he played.
“A spectacular cricketer and looked up to by many people.”
