IT ALL GOT STARTED at Sabina Park, Jamaica on March 30, 1954.
A frail looking 17-year-old prepared to take on England in a Test match for the first time. Little did he, or anyone else know for that matter, this lad would rule the world.
It was here where Garfield Sobers embarked on one of the greatest careers sports has known.
“… after making my Barbados debut, I was called upon to make my Test debut against Hutton’s England when Alf Valentine was taken ill, and I took the late call,” Sir Garry said.
“Now that was something special for a boy who was still playing cricket in the streets with a tennis ball. I didn’t stop until I was 19 or 20 and an established Test player.
“The day I discovered I had been picked to play at Sabina Park. I was playing road cricket with my brothers. Ben Hoyos, secretary of the Barbados Cricket Association, came to tell me. It came out of the blue because I had not performed that well for Barbados against England. You can imagine how the boys reacted to the news that I was to join the West Indies.”
Sir Garfield Sobers (right) and Wes Hall
Sir Garry actually started as a left-arm spinner and batted at No.9. He made 14 not out in the first innings and gathered a polished 26 in the second innings.
“I batted at No.9, before Frank King and Sonny Ramadhin and when I went in it was 110 for seven. When I walked down the steps and through the gate, the Jamaican crowd erupted. I was in another world.
“I had been sitting there thinking I was settled for at least a day and a half and wondering how many runs we were going to score.”
Sir Garry said he took great delight in getting his first Test wicket, Trevor Bailey who opened both batting and bowling, not just for himself but for the team. 
“In my very first over I had Trevor out, caught behind by Clifford McWatt. I made one turn outside the off stump and Trevor played for the straight one. The crowded exploded again. I was thrilled to break the partnership, for the team not so much for me.
“I bowled 28 overs and five balls in my first Test innings and followed up the wicket of Bailey with those of Johnny Wardle, Tony Lock and Jim Laker for a cost of 75.
“I continued to learn by watching those who had so much more experience than I had at my tender years.”
This article was first published on March 28, 2004.
