ICC MOURNS THE PASSING OF SIR GARFIELD SOBERS

The International Cricket Council has expressed grief at the passing of legendary West Indies all-rounder Sir Garfield Sobers who passed away just days before his 90th birthday. 

Mr. Jay Shah, ICC Chairman, 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 one of the greatest cricketers in history. 

"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 our 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 best all-rounder across eras, Sobers was an attractive batter and could bowl both pace and spin. He was also very highly rated as a fielder in the close-in as well as in other positions. 

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 batsman to hit six sixes off an over in a first-class game. 

In an international career spanning two decades starting from 1954, Sobers played 93 Test matches in which he slammed 26 centuries and 30 half-centuries. His aggregate of 8032 Test runs was also a record till Geoffrey Boycott got past the mark many years later. Sobers finished with 235 wickets and held 109 catches in Tests.