Sir Garfield "Garry" Sobers, the former West Indies captain and widely regarded by many as the greatest all-round cricketer the game has ever seen, has passed away. He was 89.
Born in Barbados on 28 July 1936, Sobers represented the West Indies for 20 years from 1954 to 1974, producing some of the finest performances in the history of Test cricket.
During his Test career, he scored 8,032 runs and claimed 235 wickets in 93 matches.
In 1958, he made an unbeaten 365 against Pakistan, setting what was then the highest individual score in Test cricket. The record stood unbroken for 36 years.
Sobers also etched his name into the record books in 1968 by becoming the first player in the world to hit six consecutive sixes in a single over in first-class cricket.
In recognition of his outstanding contribution to cricket, he was knighted in 1975. The International Cricket Council (ICC) also honours his legacy by naming its annual award for the Men's Cricketer of the Year the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy.
Tributes have poured in from across the cricketing world following his passing. Cricket West Indies said: "A great innings has come to an end. In our hearts, now and forever, Sir Garfield Sobers."
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