"Greatest Cricketer": Barbados PM, Cricket West Indies pay tribute to Garfield Sobers

Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley and Cricket West Indies (CWI) have paid tribute to Bajan cricket legend Sir Garfield Sobers, who passed away at his home yesterday, July 17, at age 89.

Mottley, in a statement shared on social media said: "It is with profound sadness that I join Barbados, the Caribbean and the cricketing world in mourning the passing of The Right Excellent Sir Garfield Sobers, our Sir Garry. From Bay Land to Kensington and onto the world stage, he carried Barbados and the West Indies with distinction. He made us all stand a little taller as Barbadians, and I will always be grateful for what he gave to our country and our people. I extend my deepest condolences to his family and all who loved him.

"Today has been declared a Day of National Mourning. Flags will be flown at half-mast, no official functions will take place, and details of the State Funeral will be announced. Barbados stands. The West Indies stand. The world stands. Well played, Sir Garry. Well played."

Born in Barbados in 1936, Sobers was the fifth of six children, and was raised primarily by his mother after his merchant-seaman father died during the Second World War in 1942. He was born with six fingers on each hand - the extra digits were removed in his childhood - and he excelled in all sports, including basketball, football and golf.

Reputed as one of the greatest all-rounders and most gifted cricketer, Sobers excelled as Test batter and was an exceptional fielder and close-in catcher. His bowling specialties included left-arm pace as well as orthodox and wrist-spin.  With these attributes, Sir Donald Bradman described Sobers as a "five-in-one cricketer".

Though debuting in his international Test career as a bowler, at the age of 23 Sobers scored his maiden Test century and later broke Len Hutton's world record for the highest individual Test score by making 365 against Pakistan at Sabina Park in 1958. It was a record that stood until 1994, when it was broken by Brian Lara, which Sobers witnessed and celebrated.

"Sir Garfield Sobers was the greatest cricketer the world has ever seen. His mastery of batting, bowling and fielding was unparalleled, but his true significance reached far beyond the boundary ropes," CWI President Kishore Shallow shared in a statement.

"He emerged from the Caribbean at a time when our region was finding its voice and asserting its place on the world stage. Through his excellence, he gave millions across our islands and in the diaspora, a renewed belief in what was possible. He showed that greatness was not confined by the size of our nations, the geography of our islands or the circumstances of our beginnings," he continued.

"Sir Garfield Sobers became more than a sporting icon. He became a symbol of Caribbean excellence, resilience, and possibility. His achievements brought pride to Barbados, inspiration to the West Indies and admiration from every corner of the cricketing world."

Shallow expressed condolences to Sobers' family, the Government and people of Barbados and all those across the world who mourn his passing.

"Sir Garfield Sobers has completed his final innings, but his legacy will forever endure in the hearts of our region, and the story of the cricketing world," the CWI president said.

Sobers was installed into knighthood for his services to cricket in 1975. In 2000, he was named as one of Five Cricketers of the Century by Wisden Cricketers' Almanack, alongside Bradman, Sir Jack Hobbs, Sir Viv Richards and Shane Warne.

- JS