The West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) has expressed condolences following the passing of Barbados’ National Hero, The Right Excellent Sir Garfield Sobers, at the age of 89.
In a statement issued today, WIPA described Sir Garfield as the greatest all-rounder to have played the game, highlighting his remarkable career for the West Indies between 1954 and 1974, during which he scored 8,032 Test runs at an average of 57.78 and claimed 235 wickets.
Below is the full statement from the West Indies Players’ Association:
The West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) expresses condolences at the passing of former Barbados and West Indies cricketer and captain, the legend, The Right Excellent Sir Garfield Sobers.
Sir Garfield ‘Garry’ St Aubrun Sobers, born July 28, 1936, in St. Michael, Barbados, has died at the age of 89. Sir Garfield Sobers is widely regarded as the greatest all-rounder to play the game of cricket. He excelled at batting, bowling and fielding, with elegance and versatility.
Sir Garry played 93 Test matches for the West Indies between 1954 and 1974, amassing a total of 8032 runs at an average of 57.78 and taking 235 wickets.
Sir Garfield’s maiden Test century in 1958, at the age of 23, went on to become the game’s highest individual Test score, 365. That record stood until 1994 when it was broken by Brian Lara. After his maiden, Sobers scored five centuries in his next five Tests, including two in the same match.
Garfield Sobers was knighted for his services to cricket in 1975 and was named one of five ‘Cricketers of the Century’ by Wisden in 2000.
WIPA President and CEO, Wavell Hinds, expressed his heart-felt condolences:
“Sir Garfield Sobers was regarded as the gold standard of professional cricket, given his tremendous achievement and ability with both bat and ball. He was an icon and an inspiration to generations of West Indian cricketers, including myself.
On behalf of the executive, management, staff and membership of the West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA), I extend condolences to Sir Garfield Sobers’ family, friends, colleagues, the people of Barbados, and the cricketing fraternity in the West Indies and around the world. We honour Sir Garfield’s life and legacy. May his soul rest in peace and light perpetual shine upon him.”