ICC mourns death of West Indies legend Sir Garfield Sobers

The ICC has mourned the death of legendary West Indies all-rounder Sir Garfield Sobers, who passed away days before turning 90. ICC Chairman Jay Shah hailed him as cricket's greatest all-rounder and one of the game's finest ambassadors.

Hyderabad: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has expressed grief over the passing of legendary West Indies all-rounder Sir Garfield Sobers, who died just days before his 90th birthday.

ICC Chairman Jay Shah said: “Today, the cricket world has lost one of its greatest icons. Sir Garfield Sobers was not only the finest all-rounder the game has ever known, but also one of the greatest cricketers in history.

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“His remarkable ability to influence a match in every facet of the game set him apart from his peers. Whether with the bat, ball or in the field, Sir Garfield embodied excellence, and his achievements continue to define the standard to which generations of cricketers aspire. Beyond his extraordinary accomplishments on the field, Sir Garfield was a true ambassador for our sport. His legacy extends far beyond records and statistics. He helped shape the identity of West Indies cricket during one of its most celebrated eras and leaves behind an indelible mark on the history of the game.

“On behalf of the International Cricket Council, I extend our deepest condolences to Sir Garfield’s family, friends, Cricket West Indies and cricket fans around the world. He will be remembered with immense admiration and gratitude, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.”

Widely acclaimed as the greatest all-rounder in cricket history, Sobers was an elegant batter and could bowl both pace and spin. He was also highly regarded as a fielder, both in close-in positions and in the outfield.

Sobers, who made his first-class debut at the age of 16 and played international cricket within a year, registered what was then the highest Test score of 365 not out at the age of 21. He was the first batter to hit six sixes in an over in a first-class match.

During an international career spanning two decades from 1954, Sobers played 93 Test matches, scoring 26 centuries and 30 half-centuries. His aggregate of 8,032 Test runs remained a record until Geoffrey Boycott surpassed it years later. Sobers also claimed 235 wickets and took 109 catches in Test cricket.

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