Hailed as arguably the greatest Test match all-rounder of all-time, Sir Garfield Sobers, aka Gary Sobers, sadly passed away on July 17, 2026, at the age of 89 at his home in Barbados.
Cricket West Indies posted a tweet confirming this news, stating, “A great innings has come to an end. In our hearts, now and forever, Sir Garfield Sobers.”
A giant of a left-handed batsman, Sobers was unbelievably versatile as a bowler – he could bowl left-arm fast-medium with the new ball as well as left-arm finger spin and even wrist spin.
Gary Sobers records in Test cricket:
Sobers had a two-decade-long Test career, stretching from his debut in 1954 against England in Kingston to his last Test match in 1974, also against England, in Port of Spain. He featured in 93 Test matches.
An elegant but powerful ball striker, the left-handed Sobers scored 8032 in 160 Test innings at a terrific average of 57. Sobers plundered 26 centuries and 30 fifties in Test cricket.
Talking about Sobers’ bowling, he bowled a mixture of pace and spin. Across 93 Tests, Sobers picked up 235 wickets at an average of 34 with the help of 6 five-wicket hauls and 8 four-wicket hauls.
Such was Sobers’ legendary career that the ICC honored the West Indian all-rounder by naming their premier men’s award after him: the Sir Garfield Sobers Award for recognizing the best men’s player across formats in international cricket each year.
Sobers had a prolific first-class record, which included matches for West Indies, Barbados, South Australia, and Nottinghamshire. In 383 FC matches from 1952/53 to 1974, Sobers compiled 28314 runs at an average of 54 with 86 centuries and snared 1043 wickets, which included 36 five-fors.
Sobers also played in 95 List A games but in only one ODI match in 1973 against England in Leeds.
In 1975, Sobers was knighted for his services to cricket.
Cricketers and cricket boards poured their heartfelt condolences for Sobers’ demise.
The BCCI tweeted: “The BCCI mourns the passing of Sir Garfield Sobers, a true icon of the game and one of cricket’s greatest-ever all-rounders. 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. Our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the global cricketing fraternity. May his soul rest in peace.”
What is Gary Sobers’ highest innings score in Test cricket?
Sobers’ highest innings score in Tests is 365*, which he hammered against Pakistan in Kingston in 1958. Sobers’ mammoth effort helped West Indies post 790/3 and win by an innings and 174 runs.
Who is the first batsman to hit six sixes in an over?
West Indies’ Gary Sobers holds the distinction of being the first batsman in the history of first-class cricket to hit six sixes in an over, a feat he achieved in 1968 in the County Championship against Glamorgan’s Malcolm Nash while batting for Nottinghamshire.
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