Garfield Sobers
Garfield Sobers
Sobers, Sir Garfield St. Aubrun (born July 28, 1926), is a Barbadian cricketer who is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest all-rounders of all time. He was a right-handed batsman and a left-arm orthodox bowler. Sobers represented the West Indies in 93 Test matches between 1954 and 1974, scoring 8,032 runs at an average of 57.78, including 26 centuries, and taking 235 wickets at an average of 34.03, including 23 five-wicket hauls. He captained the team in 39 Tests between 1965 and 1972, winning 22 and losing only four.
Sobers was born in St. Michael, Barbados. He made his first-class debut for Barbados at the age of 16 and quickly established himself as a talented all-rounder. He made his Test debut for the West Indies in 1954 against Australia and soon became a regular member of the team.
Sobers was a powerful and stylish batsman who could score runs all around the wicket. He was also a brilliant fielder and a safe pair of hands. As a bowler, he was a left-arm orthodox spinner who could bowl with great accuracy and control. He was also a dangerous hitter of the ball, and often scored quick runs down the order.
Sobers was a key member of the West Indies team that won the inaugural World Cup in 1975. He was also a member of the team that won the Wisden Trophy in 1963, 1966, and 1968.
Sobers was knighted in 1975 for his services to cricket. He was inducted into the International Cricket Council's Hall of Fame in 2009.
Here are some of Sobers' most notable achievements:
- He is the only cricketer to have scored 100 runs, taken 10 wickets, and held 10 catches in a Test match.
- He is one of only two cricketers to have scored 300 runs in a Test match twice.
- He is the only cricketer to have scored 100 runs and taken 5 wickets in the same Test match three times.
- He is the only cricketer to have scored 200 runs and taken 10 wickets in the same Test match.
- He is the only cricketer to have scored 100 runs and taken 10 wickets in a Test match on two different occasions.
- He is the only cricketer to have scored 100 runs and taken 10 wickets in a Test match on two different tours.
- He is the only cricketer to have scored 100 runs and taken 10 wickets in a Test match on two different continents.
- He is the only cricketer to have scored 100 runs and taken 10 wickets in a Test match on two different grounds.
- He is the only cricketer to have scored 100 runs and taken 10 wickets in a Test match on two different days.
Sobers is a true legend of the game and is considered by many to be the greatest all-rounder of all time.