Former West Indies cricket captain, Sir Garfield Sobers, has died at the age of 89, West Indies Cricket announced on Friday.<\/p>\n
“A great innings has come to an end. In our hearts, now and forever, Sir Garfield Sobers,” West Indies Cricket said in a post on X. <\/p>\n
One of cricket’s all-time greats<\/p>\n
Sobers is considered one of the all-time greats to play the game and\u00a0was known for his potent \u200btop-order batting, the ability \u200bto \u200cbowl medium fast and spin, while also being an excellent \u200cfielder.<\/p>\n
Sobers represented the West Indies in an international career spanning two decades, from 1954 to 1974.<\/p>\n
Garfield St Aubrun Sobers was born in St Michael, Barbados, on July 28, 1936 and was\u00a0the fifth of six children.<\/p>\n
He made his first class cricket debut for Barbados at the age of 16 in 1953 and would go on to play his first test for West Indies in 1954.<\/p>\n
At the age of 21, Sobers scored his maiden century against Pakistan and would finish with\u00a0365 not out, which was then the highest individual test innings.<\/p>\n
Sobers scored 8,032 runs at the crease in his 93 Tests at an average of 57.78. His versatile bowling ability\u00a0saw him take\u00a0235 wickets at 34.03 runs a piece while in fielding he took 109 test match catches.<\/p>\n
Sobers was knighted for his services to cricket by Queen Elizabeth II in Bridgetown, Barbados, that reportedly drew 50,000 spectators.<\/p>\n
Sobers was a potent \u200btop-order batsman and had excellent bowling and fielding abilityImage: PA\/empics\/picture alliance<\/p>\n
Tributes for icon of the game<\/p>\n
“One of the greatest cricketers to have ever graced the game, Sir Garfield Sobers, has sadly passed away,” the International Cricket Council said in a post on X.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
England Cricket also paid tribute with a social media post calling Sobers “one of the greatest to ever play the game.”<\/p>\n
“Forever in our hearts, Sir Garfield Sobers,” England Cricket said in a post on X.<\/p>\n
Edited by: Rana Taha<\/p>\n