Sir Garfield Sobers: West Indies cricket legend dies aged 89

Legendary former West Indies all-rounder Sir Garfield Sobers, regarded as one of the greatest cricketers of all time, has died aged 89.

Sobers played 93 Tests between 1954 and 1974, scored 8,032 runs and took 235 wickets.

An entertaining left-handed batter, Sobers scored 365 not out against Pakistan in 1958 – an effort which stood as the record Test score for 36 years.

He was also a brilliantly versatile bowler, who bowled spin and seam.

Sobers, who also played county cricket for Nottinghamshire, was knighted for his services to cricket in 1975.

He was also named one of Wisden’s five cricketers of the 20th century.

During his stint at Nottinghamshire in 1968, Sobers became the first player to hit a six off all six balls in an over in a first-class match.

“A great innings has come to an end. In our hearts, now and forever, Sir Garfield Sobers,” Cricket West Indies said.

Nottinghamshire described Sobers as “cricket’s greatest-ever all-rounder and an iconic figure in Nottinghamshire history”.

“We are extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Sir Garfield Sobers,” the club said.

England also paid tribute on social media, calling Sobers “one of the greatest to ever play the game”.

“Forever in our hearts, Sir Garfield Sobers,” they added.

Sobers made his first-class debut for Barbados aged 16 and was capped by West Indies aged 17.

He was initially more successful as a bowler than batter – he bowled left-arm wrist and finger spin as well as pace – but went on to score 26 Test centuries and finished his career with a batting average of 57.78.

He scored 28,314 in his first-class career, including 7,041 for Nottinghamshire. He was also a superb fielder.

Though not as successful a skipper as player, he was West Indies captain between 1965 and 1972. He also captained a Rest of the World XI during their tour of England in 1970.