SOBERS, SIR GARFIELD

born July 28, 1936, Bridgetown, Barbados in full Sir Garfield St. Aubrun Sobers, byname Gary Sobers West Indian cricketer, considered by many authorities the most gifted all-around player of all time. As a batsman he established a record for Test (international) matches by scoring 365 runs, not out, in a single innings (West Indies versus Pakistan, 195758 season). He was also exceptional in bowling and in close-to-the-wicket fielding. Sobers was educated at Bay St. School, Barbados, and became a left-hand batsman and a left-hand bowler in cricket. He entered first-class cricket at the age of 16 and bowled for the West Indies team against England during the 195354 season. In 1965 he succeeded Sir Frank Worrell as captain of the West Indies. His team defeated Australia and then, in 1966, won over England three matches to one. He also captained Nottinghamshire (196874). He retired in 1974 and was knighted in 1975. His batting 8,032 runs in Test matches (195374) set a record, as did his 26 centuries (100 runs in a single innings). His record of 365 not out still stands. Sobers wrote several books on cricket, including a novel, Bonaventure and the Flashing Blade (1967), and, with J.S. Barker, a history of cricket in the West Indies (1967).