‘The greatest of all time’: Cricket in mourning as ‘remarkable’ Test legend dies
England level series after Root goes 99* | 01:13Garry Sobers, the West Indies all-rounder regarded as one of the greatest cricketers of all time, has died at the age of 89.
Watch every ball of Australia vs Bangladesh Test Series live and ad-break free during play with Fox Cricket on Kayo | New to Kayo? The Barbados-born player featured in 93 Tests between 1954 and 1974, amassing 8,032 runs and taking 235 wickets.
“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”. The versatile Sobers was an entertaining left-handed batter who could bowl spin and seam, and was an exceptional fielder. He made his Test debut as a 17-year-old against England in 1954.
At the age of 21, Sobers broke Len Hutton’s record for the highest individual Test score by making 365 not out against Pakistan. His record would last until another West Indian master, Brian Lara, made 375 against England in 1994, with Sobers on hand to celebrate. He also captained West Indies in 39 Tests between 1965 and 1972, winning nine and losing 10.
Australian cricketer Ian Chappell with Sir Garry Sobers and West Indies cricketer Clive Lloyd after Lloyd was presented with the Sir Garfield Sobers World Series Cricket trophy, 03 Jan 1978. In a career filled with extraordinary feats, Sobers became the first player to hit six sixes in one over in first-class cricket, off Glamorgan’s Malcolm Nash when playing county cricket for Nottinghamshire.
He was honoured as one of Wisden’s five cricketers of the 20th century alongside Australia great Donald Bradman, Jack Hobbs, Viv Richards and Shane Warne. The late Bradman paid the ultimate tribute to Sobers: “He is, in my opinion, the greatest cricketer of all time. ” West Indies CEO Chris Dehring described Sobers as a “towering figure whose influence on our game and our region can never be overstated”.
“Sir Garfield was more than the greatest all-round cricketer the world has ever seen,” he said in a statement. “He was the embodiment of West Indies cricket at its finest -- bold, brilliant, innovative and unapologetically excellent. His extraordinary achievements transformed the way the game was played and inspired generations of cricketers. ” Nottinghamshire described their former player as “cricket’s greatest-ever all-rounder” and an iconic figure in the club’s history.
“Sir Garfield Sobers was not only the finest all-rounder the game has ever known, but one of the greatest cricketers in history,” he said in a statement. “His remarkable ability to influence a match in every facet of the game set him apart from his peers. ” England Cricket posted on X: “One of the greatest to ever play the game. Forever in our hearts, Sir Garfield Sobers.
” Former England batsman Geoffrey Boycott described Sobers as “like a panther with a purposeful, loping and confident walk”.
“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.
” Gary Sobers, arguably the greatest ever cricketer, has died aged 89 West Indies Cricket announced on July 17, 2026. FILE - 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.
File - Under the watchful eyes of West Indies technical consultant Sir Garfield Sobers, left, West Indies fast bowler Cory Collymore bowls during a practice session at 3Ws Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, March 26, 2005.
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