West Indies Cricket Legend Sir Garfield Sobers Passes Away at 89
Sir Garfield Sobers, the legendary West Indies cricketer widely regarded as the greatest all-rounder in cricket history, passed away on 17 July 2026 in Saint Michael, Barbados, at the age of 89. He was born on 28 July 1936 in Bridgetown, Barbados. Career: A left-handed batter, versatile left-arm bowler and exceptional fielder, Sobers played 93 Tests (1954-1974) for the West Indies, scoring 8,032 runs at an average of 57.78 and taking 235 wickets. Records: He scored a then-world-record 365 not out against Pakistan in 1958; became the first cricketer to hit six sixes in an over in first-class cricket (1968); and captained the West Indies in 39 Tests between 1965 and 1972. Honours: Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1975; named among Wisden's Five Cricketers of the 20th Century (2000); inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame (2009). The Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy is awarded annually to the ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year.
ICC founded 1909 (as Imperial Cricket Conference), HQ Dubai, UAE | The Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy goes to the ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year; the women's equivalent is the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Award | Ravi Shastri (1985) was the first Indian to hit six sixes in an over in first-class cricket | Sobers' 365* record was broken by Brian Lara (375, 1994)
Sir Garfield Sobers, the West Indies legend regarded as cricket's greatest all-rounder, passed away on 17 July 2026 in Barbados aged 89. • He played 93 Tests (1954-1974), scored 8,032 runs at 57.78 with 235 wickets, was the first to hit six sixes in an over in first-class cricket (1968), and lends his name to the ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year trophy.
