Sir Garfield St Aubrun Sobers, AO, OCC, also known as Gary or Garry Sobers, is a former cricketer who played for the West Indies between 1954 and 1974. A highly skilled bowler, an aggressive batsman and an excellent fielder, he is widely considered to be cricket's greatest ever all-rounder. Born in Bridgetown, Barbados, Sobers made his first-class debut for the Barbados cricket team at the age of 16 in 1953, and his Test debut for the West Indies the following year. Originally playing mainly as a bowler, he was soon promoted up the batting order. Against Pakistan in 1958, Sobers scored his maiden Test century, progressing to 365 not out and establishing a new record for the highest individual score in an innings. His record was not broken until Brian Lara scored 375 in 1994. Sobers was made captain of the West Indies in 1965, a role which he would hold until 1972. He would also captain a Rest of the World XI during their 1970 tour of England.
| Full name: | Garfield St Aubrun Sobers |
| Born: | July 28, 1936, Bridgetown, Barbados |
| Height: | 5 ft 11 in (1.8 m) |
| Batting style: | Left-handed |
| Bowling style: | Left-arm fast medium, Slow left-arm orthodox, Left-arm unorthodox spin |
| Role: | All-rounder |
About Garfield Sobers
One of cricket's greatest all-rounders, he scored over 8,000 Test runs and took 235 wickets, bowling both spin and seam. He averaged more than 57 with the bat and was the Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1964.
Before Fame
He made his first-class debut with the Barbados national team at the age of 16, and the following year played in his first Test match.
Achievement
In 1968, he became the first player to hit six sixes in one over in first-class cricket. He captained West Indies in 39 Tests.
Family Life
He was briefly engaged to Indian actress Anju Mahendru. He was married to Pru Kirby from 1969 to 1990. He has three children: Daniel, Genevieve and Matthew.
Associations
He was teammates with Clive Lloyd while playing for West Indies.
Information related to Garfield Sobers
- Recipients of the Trinity Cross
- Wisden Cricketers of the Century
- Nottinghamshire cricket captains
- West Indies Test cricket captains
- Cricket players and officials awarded knighthoods
- Sportspeople from Bridgetown
- Wisden Leading Cricketers in the World
- Commonwealth XI cricketers
- Barbados cricketers
- West Indies One Day International cricketers
- Barbadian cricketers
- International Cavaliers cricketers
- West Indies Test cricketers
- South Australia cricketers
- Wisden Cricketers of the Year
- Nottinghamshire cricketers
