West Indies Cricket Legend Sir Garfield Sobers Passes Away at 89

21 July 2026National

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.

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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)

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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.

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