Sir Garry Sobers, West Indies cricketing great is no more.
Our generation did not see or hear him on radio commentary. But we grew knowing it well that he was the First to hit six sixes in one over in first-class game.
West Indian star - widely regarded as greatest all-rounder
He was a cavalier in an era when there were so many roundheads on the international circuit. The great West Indies’ sides of his time not only won their fair share of games but they played with a joyous freedom rarely matched by their opponents and this was so often due to the presence of Sobers.
Sobers will forever be associated with the feat he completed in 1968 at Glamorgan’s St Helen’s ground in Swansea when he became the first batsman to hit six sixes in a single over of six consecutive balls in first-class cricket but his achievements in a long and illustrious career were numerous.
The late Richie Benaud, a revered broadcaster and former Australia captain, described Sobers as “the greatest all-round cricketer the world has seen”.
“Sobers was a brilliant batsman, splendid fielder, particularly close to the wicket, and a bowler of extraordinary skill, whether bowling with the new ball, providing orthodox left-arm spin or over-the-wrist spin," Richie wrote.
Sobers made his first-class debut for Barbados at the age of 16 in 1953, and such was his extraordinary talent he was quickly called up by his country and made his Test debut for West Indies the following year.
It did not take him long to make his mark on the world stage. Against Pakistan in 1958, Sobers scored his maiden Test century, eventually recording 365 not out, a new record for the highest individual score in a Test innings.
The record was not broken until another West Indian star Brian Lara did so in 1994.
Sobers retired relatively early for a player of his stature and ability at the age of 38 in 1974.
Some great players of the past continued appreciably longer. Simply enough, mentally and physically tired, he had lost his zest for the sport which had been his life – and was still his only observable means of earning a living !!
Sobers, pictured with England captain Brian Close, averaged 60.64 against England with 10 centuries (Getty Image/BBC)
"He (Sobers) emerged from the Caribbean at a time when our region was finding its voice and asserting its place on the world stage.
"Through his excellence, he gave millions across our islands and in the diaspora, a renewed belief in what was possible. He showed that greatness was not confined by the size of our nations, the geography of our islands ...," - says Cricket West Indies chief president Kishore Shallow.
Sobers achievements brought ... admiration from every corner of the cricketing world.
And also ... inspiration to the West Indies and pride to Barbados.
His batting was sublime. Bradman, after watching Sobers hit 254 for the Rest of the World against Australia in Melbourne in January 1972, concluded:
“I believe his innings was probably the best ever seen in Australia.”
No comments:
Post a Comment