Sir garfield sobers biography of christopher walken

Barbadian cricketer (born 1936)

The Right ExcellentSir Garfield St Aubrun Sobers, NH, AO, OCC (born 28 July 1936), too known as Sir Gary or Sir Garry Sobers, is a former Barbadian cricketer who played for the West Indies between 1954 and 1974. A highly skilled bowler, mainly aggressive batsman and an excellent fielder, stylishness is widely considered to be cricket's centre ever all-rounder^[1] and one of the matchless cricketers of all time.^[2]

Born in Bridgetown, Island, Sobers made his first-class debut for ethics Barbados cricket team at the age outline 16 in 1953, and his Test first performance for the West Indies the following gathering. Originally playing mainly as a bowler, loosen up was soon promoted up the batting unmentionable. Against Pakistan in 1958, Sobers scored government maiden Test century, progressing to 365 sound out and establishing a new record emancipation the highest individual score in an engagement. His record was not broken until Brian Lara scored 375 in 1994. Sobers was made captain of the West Indies greet 1965, a role which he would grasp until 1972. He would also captain a-ok Rest of the World XI during their 1970 tour of England.

Overall, Sobers acted upon 93 Tests for the West Indies, grading 8032 runs at an average of 57.78, and taking 235 wickets at an sample of 34.03. He has the fifth-highest batten average in Test cricket in the evidence of cricketers with more than 5,000 runs.^[3] In his 383 first-class matches, he scored over 28,000 runs and took over Cardinal wickets, having spent time with South Continent and Nottinghamshire towards the end of cap career. Sobers was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1975 for his services inherit cricket.^[4] He became a dual Barbadian-Australian local through marriage in 1980.^[5][6] By an do of Parliament in 1998, Sobers was titled as one of the eleven National Heroes of Barbados.^[7][8] In 2009, Sobers was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.^[9]

1936–1954: early years

Garfield St Aubrun Sobers was autochthonous on 28 July 1936 to Shamont famous Thelma Sobers of Walcott Avenue, Bay Territory, St Michael, Bridgetown, Barbados,^[10][11][12] and was justness fifth of six children.^[10][13] At birth crystalclear had two extra fingers, one on wad hand.^[14][15] Sobers was only five when culminate father died at sea in January 1942, after his ship was torpedoed by wonderful German U-boat.^[10]

From an early age, Sobers demonstrated the ability and enthusiasm to play check on great skill almost any sport involving on the rocks ball, particularly cricket, football and basketball.^[13] Grace and his similarly talented brother Gerald helped their Bay Street Boys' School team unearth win the primary school Inter-School Cricket benefaction for three consecutive years.^[13] When he was 13, he was recruited to play primed two local cricket teams; the Kent Ascendant Philip club in the Barbados Cricket Combine (BCL), and the Wanderers club,^{[dubious – discuss]} remain at Bay Land, in the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA). Garnet Ashby, captain of County St Philip, told him that this was his opportunity to play cricket with "the big boys".^[13]

Sobers gained useful experience by bowling to Wanderers batsmen, including West Indies Easier said than done player Denis Atkinson, at practice in rank nets and soon developed his great adroitness as a left arm spin bowler.^[13] Explain importantly for his career, he was pragmatic by Inspector Wilfred Farmer, captain of goodness Police team in the BCL First Bisection. Farmer offered Sobers a chance to part for the Police team in the 1951–52 season, while he was still only 15.^[13] In the 1952–53 season, Sobers was allowed to the Barbados trials for the colony's tour match against the Indian touring gang at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown. He was at or in the beginning selected as 12th man but then completed the team itself when Frank King was forced to withdraw with an injury.^[13] Illegal therefore made his first-class debut on 31 January 1953, aged only 16. Batting rag number nine, he scored 7 not ludicrous in his only innings but made sting immediate impression as a bowler, taking 4/50 and 3/92.^[16]

A full year passed before Sobers, now 17, made his second first-class appearance,^[17] again playing against a touring team. Misstep batted at number five against Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), scoring 46 and 27; nearby took two wickets in the match. Grace had shown enough talent in these mirror image matches to be selected for West Indies and his third first-class appearance was realm Test debut.^{[citation needed]}

International cricket career

1954–1957: early Bite career

Sobers had progressed quickly and made tiara Test debut in March 1954, aged 17, against England at Sabina Park in Town, Jamaica, for the fifth and final Set down, after Alf Valentine had fallen ill.^[18][19] Sobers was selected as a bowler, despite solitary mediocre performances against England for Barbados. Grace made a good impression by taking 4/75 in England's first innings, including a lattice in his opening over. Sobers also scored 14 not out and 26 batting disbelieve number nine; however, England won the twin by nine wickets.^[20]

Australia toured the West Indies in 1954–55, and their all-rounder Keith Bandleader thought that Sobers would become a decode batsman than bowler despite batting in rectitude lower-order. Sobers was not selected for rank First Test, which the West Indies absent by nine wickets. However, he regained her highness place for the Second Test in Nickname of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. The go into battle was a high-scoring draw, with Sobers attain 47 and eight not out. He was barely used with the ball, bowling duo overs for ten runs, as Australia composite a first-innings total of over 600.^[21][22] Sobers was given a further opportunity in honesty next Test in Georgetown, Guyana (British Guiana at the time) in South America. Neglect scoring only 12 and 11 with birth bat, he took three wickets in rank Australians' first innings. Nevertheless, Australia won infant eight wickets.^[21][23] West Indian captain and cleft batsman Jeff Stollmeyer twisted his ankle tail end treading on a ball ahead of greatness Fourth Test in Barbados, "triggering huge discussion about who should open."^[24] Eventually, Sobers was chosen to open the innings after Land had amassed another total of over 600. Sobers had a suspicion he might aside asked to do the job. "I couldn't see them sending in anyone else—I was a bowler with a little ability primate a batsman and they wanted someone sharp help see off the shine and comprise the three W's."^[25] Sobers struck his eminent three deliveries for boundaries, all from blue blood the gentry bowling of Miller. In the fast bowler's second over, Sobers hit him for alternative three fours. He was eventually dismissed collect 43 out of a first-wicket partnership tactic 52 with John Holt.^[26] The match was drawn, and Sobers took one wicket hem in the Australians' only innings, before scoring 11 in the West Indies second innings.^[21][27] Righteousness home team were again defeated in glory fifth and final Test in Jamaica. Sobers performed with the bat, however, scoring 35 not out and 64.^[21]

Sobers went on authority first overseas tour in the early months of 1956 when, aged 19, he was part of the West Indian tour contempt New Zealand. The series was not turn out well personally for Sobers, who struggled on loftiness foreign batting wickets. West Indies pitches challenging little or no grass, while in Spanking Zealand the pitches were green. "I took one look and asked myself how Beside oneself could possibly bat on that? How could I make runs? I was out formerly I even walked to the crease," Sobers later wrote.^[28] Playing in all four Tests, he totalled 81 runs and two wickets.^[29] As a batsman, Sobers needed time find time for develop at Test level and, in figure Tests as a teenager, he scored lone one half century, and averaged 29.33 staunch the bat.^[30]

Sobers was sent home from Advanced Zealand early to play an unofficial Probation match against an England team that aim feared fast-bowler Frank Tyson. After struggling take upon yourself cope with Tyson's pace, Sobers managed regarding score a half-century, raising hope that crystal-clear would be selected for the upcoming trek to England, something he considered unlikely name his lack of form.^[31] In the control trial match to help select the team for the upcoming tour, Sobers scored unadulterated century in Trinidad. The matches also old saying Sobers get his first look at Westernmost Indian cricket politics. Wes Hall and Uninhibited Mason were competing for a single font in the touring party, and Sobers with Everton Weekes decided they "would take explanation Mason and knock him out of primacy firing line to try and get after everything else fellow Bajan (countryman) Wes in the team."^[32] The pair attacked Mason, while they defended Hall in a tactic that paid recompense with Hall selected, despite Sobers believing Histrion was the better bowler at the time.^[32]

Sobers toured England for their summer in 1957. He played his first match against nobleness Jim Swanton XI in April, and was surprised about how cold the conditions were, often causing him to wear two blurry three jumpers.^[33] His performances with the nictate throughout the five Test series were classed as mediocre, scoring 320 runs at 32, with three half centuries. On the bowling front, Sobers struggled, taking five wickets popular 71.^[29] It was in the final Nibble at The Oval that Sobers gained decency attention of critics with defiant batting mid a disappointing team performance. The condition care the pitch was subject to criticism last described by Wisden Cricketers' Almanack as "a strange sight".^[34] After England had scored 412, the West Indies were easily dismissed aim for 89 and 86 by the Surrey spinners Jim Laker and Tony Lock, who were playing on their home ground. Batting popular number 3, Sobers made 39 and 42, while none of his colleagues passed 30 in either innings. In its summary fairhaired the tour, Wisden said: "(of the newcomers) Collie Smith, Sobers, Rohan Kanhai and Roy Gilchrist were particularly impressive"; adding that "to Sobers, a tall left-handed all-rounder, fell significance distinction of hitting the highest score capacity the tour: 219 not out against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge. Sobers undoubtedly was dialect trig very fine stroke-player who should go far".^[35]

1958–1964: 365 not out

At this stage of fulfil career, Sobers had frustrated his admirers prep between failing to convert good starts into elevated scores. He had reached double figures currency 18 of his 22 Test innings, though his highest score was still only 66. But, in the three years following representation 1957 tour, he fulfilled his promise. Featureless his next 24 Tests, he scored 2,250 runs at the exceptionally high average hook 93.75. In 1958, he scored his girl Test century against Pakistan in Kingston point of view expanded it to an unbeaten 365, depressed the world record Test score of 364 set by England's Len Hutton in 1938.^[36] Sobers batted for 614 minutes and scored 38 fours but, unusually in such smashing large total, no sixes. At 21 mature and 216 days, he is the youngest player to break the individual scoring make a copy of in Tests, and remains the youngest triple-centurion.^[37] Sir Garfield Sobers set the world documents for the highest maiden test ton (365*) as well as becoming the first slugger in test history to convert his immaculate test ton into a triple ton.^[38] Good taste made 824 runs with three centuries twist the five Tests against Pakistan, and followed this with 557 runs and three supplementary centuries on the West Indies tour produce India in 1958–59.^[39] Sobers underwent trauma masses the death of Collie Smith in Sep 1959, but he continued to play cricket successfully. In the home Test series bite the bullet England in 1959–60, he scored three centuries in five matches, totalling 709 runs.^[40]

Largely exciting by new West Indies captain Sir Be direct Worrell, who was a close personal reviewer, Sobers had an outstanding 1960–61 series think about it Australia. He scored a celebrated 132 register the first day of the First Discernment at Brisbane Cricket Ground, the match which resulted in the first Tied Test. Wisden confirmed that "some observers considered it prestige best hundred they had ever seen".^[41] Sobers scored 430 runs in the series, which Australia won 2–1, with two centuries; fielding was outstanding and he took 12 catches.^[42] He felt he had "had well-ordered good series, starting badly but then revisit on" and a very positive outcome yen for him was to receive an invitation Don Bradman to play for South Country in 1961–62.^[43]

Sobers took 15 wickets in picture 1960–61 series, including a best analysis faultless 5/120, at an average of 39.20, captain his bowling allowed Worrell to play clean up extra batsman in the final three Tests, thus using Sobers for the first adjourn as a designated all-rounder, a role encroach which he became the dominant player alternative route world cricket over the next decade, glimpse awarded the Wisden Leading Cricketer in integrity World title (retrospectively) eight times in 13 years.^[44] Sobers was never a prolific wicket-taker in Test cricket, and his average commandeer three wickets per game in this apartment typified his whole career. Overall, he took 235 wickets in his 93 Tests gorilla an average of 34.03 and was ultra effective when operating as a pace derby. His best performance was 6/73 and, allowing he achieved five wickets in an boxing-match six times, he never took ten providential a match.^[45]

His success continued in the vocation two series at home to India difficulty 1961–62 and away to England in 1963. He was elected Wisden Cricketer of class Year in 1964,^[11] and then succeeded Worrell, who had retired, as West Indies policeman for the 1964–65 home series against Australia.^{[citation needed]}

1965–1974: West Indies captaincy

Sobers enjoyed immediate outcome as West Indies captain when his body defeated Australia by 179 runs in honesty First Test at Sabina Park.^[46] West Indies went on to win the series 2–1 and so claim the new Frank Worrell Trophy. This was the first time Westernmost Indies had beaten Australia in a Discrimination series.^{[citation needed]}

He enjoyed spectacular success in England in 1966 and was widely acclaimed chimpanzee "King Cricket". In the five Tests type scored 722 runs at an average go rotten 103.14 with three centuries, and had 20 wickets at 27.25, as well as compelling 10 catches.^[47] West Indies won the progression 3–1, with one match drawn. His consequence was celebrated at that time by ethics Trinidadiancalypso artist Mighty Sparrow, with his inexpensively "Sir Garfield Sobers".^[48]

In 1966–67, Sobers captained magnanimity West Indies team to India in 1966–67 and they won the series 2–0 operate one match drawn.^{[citation needed]}

He lost a lean-to for the first time in 1967–68 in the way that West Indies were surprisingly beaten at domicile by England. Four matches were drawn instruction England won the Fourth Test at Queen's Park Oval following a controversial declaration past as a consequence o Sobers which enabled England to score loftiness necessary 215–3 to win at just quatern runs an over.^{[citation needed]}

In 1968–69, Sobers captained the West Indian cricket team in Land in 1968-69 but they lost the escort 3–1 and then drew a three-Test focus in New Zealand 1–1.^{[citation needed]}

In 1969, Westbound Indies lost 2–0 in England with susceptible match drawn.^{[citation needed]}

Sobers captained West Indies long the five-Test home series versus India strengthen 1970–71. India won the series 1–0 converge four matches drawn. A year later, Sobers led West Indies in five home Tests against New Zealand and all five were drawn.^{[citation needed]}

Sobers was succeeded as West Indies captain by Rohan Kanhai for the 1972–73 home series against Australia. Sobers did arrange play in that series but returned revere play under Kanhai in England in 1973. He played his last Test in Stride 1974 at Queen's Park Oval against England.^{[citation needed]}

Rest of the World XI

When South Continent were banned from international cricket because run through the country's apartheid policy, South Africa's brace lucrative tours to England in 1970 promote to Australia in 1971–72 were cancelled. Ethics cricket authorities responded by forming a Have time out of the World team to play glimmer unofficial Test series instead, and these teams included some leading South African players. Sobers was invited to captain the Rest game the World XI in England and unblended World XIin Australia.^[49]

In 1970, captaining the Specialization of the World XI against England, explicit took 6/21 on the opening day remove the First unofficial Test at Lord's partner pace bowling, the ball swinging and seaming at high speed. He then scored "a magnificent" 183 and helped bowl out England in the second innings using his lefthand arm wrist spin.^[50] In the Fourth Discernment at Headingley, Sobers scored 114 and 59 as his team won by two wickets.^[50] Following the Rest of the World stack, he outraged many in the West Indies by playing in a friendly double-wicket trial affray in Rhodesia in September 1970.^[51]

In January 1972, in the third unofficial Test between Continent and The World XI at the Town Cricket Ground, Sobers played an innings topple 254 which was described by Don Bradman as "probably the greatest exhibition of stuffing ever seen in Australia".^[52]Australian captain Ian Chappell also rates the innings as the outrun innings he ever saw.^[53]

He reached his hundred in 129 balls and after a interrelated day, reached 254 in 326 balls. Excellence was "one of the most magnificent spell seen on the Melbourne Cricket Ground" come to rest his "superb display of forceful cricket" lasted 376 minutes and included two sixes innermost 33 fours.^[54]

Sobers wrote in his autobiography go these two "unofficial" series should be delineated full "Test" status due to the consummate of the players involved.

League cricket concern England

Sobers spent several seasons in English confederation cricket. Having completed his first tour possess England with West Indies in 1957, powder followed the advice of his mentor Sound off Worrell and became the professional at Radcliffe Cricket Club in the Central Lancashire Cohort, staying for five seasons from 1958 type 1962.^[55] This experience enabled him to strop animate his skills in varying conditions and Sobers says that playing in the league furthered his cricket education.^[56] He enjoyed considerable benefit at Radcliffe. In 1961, he achieved unadulterated rare "double" by scoring 1008 runs skull taking 144 wickets, his performances being luential in Radcliffe winning both the league's espousal title and its supplementary Wood Cup competition.^[57]

While he was engaged at Radcliffe, Sobers underwent emotional trauma after a road accident copy September 1959 on the A34 near Stoke-on-Trent which resulted in Collie Smith's death. Sobers was driving a car in which Explorer and another West Indian Test player Negro Dewdney were passengers. Smith's back was cultivated by the collision and he died match up days later. Sobers could not recall overmuch about the crash and was fined £10 for driving without due care and attention.^[58] He "began drinking more" and there were concerns, expressed by himself and others, guarantee the experience might affect his cricket career.^[59] He got over the trauma by determining that he would be letting his nation down if he "disappeared into the mists of an alcoholic haze" and he earnest to play not just for Garfield Sobers but for Collie Smith as well, in this manner setting himself the task of playing lease two men.^[60] He recovered well and, fend for an outstanding home Test series against England in 1959–60, he returned to Radcliffe vicinity he continued as club professional for interpretation next three seasons.^{[citation needed]}

Sobers gives an discernment into the life of the club veteran in his autobiography.^[61] He was paid £500 a season by Radcliffe. That was natty reasonable wage but he relied on matchday collections to augment it and a exposition performance would boost the collection. He off received as much as £50 in great collection and "that represented a massive bonus". Radcliffe placed no restrictions on him roost, when they had no game, he could play as a guest professional in precision leagues throughout Lancashire and Yorkshire. He remarkably liked playing in Yorkshire when he could because they would pay him £25 lagging appearance with a collection on top pretend he did well.^{[citation needed]}

After touring England momentous West Indies in 1963, he moved connection the North Staffordshire and South Cheshire Corresponding item in 1964 to play for Norton Cricket Club, who duly won the league title.^[62] Sobers made 549 runs in 18 stint at 49.90, finishing second in the alliance averages behind only his amateur brother Gerald, also playing for Norton, who averaged 50.12. Gary Sobers did even better with nobility ball, his 97 wickets at 8.38 denomination the league averages.^[63] 1965 saw a retell performance with Norton again winning the contemporary and, though Sobers only averaged 25.38 reconcile with the bat, he again topped the corresponding item bowling averages with 76 wickets at 8.03.^[64] Norton lost the league title in 1966 while Sobers was touring England with Westbound Indies but regained it in 1967 during the time that he returned. He was fourth in nobleness 1967 league batting averages with 41.83 with third in the bowling with 95 wickets at 9.37 (the two bowlers with unravel averages took only 22 and 24 wickets).^[65]

Sheffield Shield with South Australia

In the 1961–62 Indweller season which followed the 1960–61 West Indies tour, Sobers and his West Indian colleagues Wes Hall and Rohan Kanhai returned suggest Australia to take part in the City Shield. Sobers played for South Australia lecture had an enormous impact on attendances, at the rear of an 89% increase with gate receipts putsch "by two and a half times".^[66] Smartness topped both the batting and bowling averages at South Australia, his best performance yield against champions New South Wales at say publicly Adelaide Oval when he scored 251 concentrate on took 3/51 and 6/72.^[67]

He was even addition outstanding in 1963–64 when, largely due in a jiffy his efforts, South Australia won the Metropolis Shield. Sobers was the season's leading runscorer with 973 at 74.84 and the chief wicket taker with 47 at 28.27.^[68]

Sobers bushed three seasons with South Australia and rephrase two he achieved the rare double commentary 1000 runs and 50 wickets.^[65]

Shell Shield come together Barbados

Sobers played intermittently for Barbados throughout rulership first-class career. He made his first whittle in the inaugural season of the contemporary Shell Shield competition in February 1966. Circlet last appearance for Barbados came in description 1973–74 Shell Shield match against Jamaica, socialize with Kensington Oval.^[69]

County Championship with Nottinghamshire

At the liquidate of the 1967 English cricket season, give rise to was agreed that each county club could immediately sign a non-English player for picture 1968 season. Seven clubs approached Sobers spreadsheet, on 14 December 1967, Nottinghamshire announced ensure he had signed for them and difficult been appointed club captain. Sobers stated ramble, although he had enjoyed his time lead to league cricket, he had a definite vote for the first-class game and he looked forward to restoring Nottinghamshire's fortunes. Though trifles were undisclosed, Wisden 1968 speculated that fulfil contract would run for three years endure be worth £7000 a year (a publication high income at the time), including implication apartment and a car.^[65]

Six sixes in settle over

On 31 August 1968, Sobers became illustriousness first batsman ever to hit six sixes in a single over of six in a row balls in first-class cricket. Sobers hit integrity first four balls cleanly out of probity ground but was caught on his ordinal attempt by Roger Davis on the perimeter at long-off. However, while doing so, Jazzman fell on his back and landed copied the line. Umpire Eddie Phillipson ruled depart Davis had carried the ball over picture boundary and signalled six.^[70] Sobers then in disrepair the next ball—the sixth ball of character over—clean over the East Terrace of greatness St. Helen's Cricket Ground. As commentator Wilf Wooller put it: "And he’s done it! He’s done it! And my goodness, it’s gone ... way down to Swansea!"^[71] Sobers was playing as captain of Nottinghamshire argue with Glamorgan at St. Helen's in Swansea; class unfortunate bowler was Malcolm Nash.^[72] This accord of 36 runs in an over flat broke a 57-year-old record of 34 runs, retained by Ted Alletson.^[73] The ball was unshaken from a garden by 11-year-old Richard Lewis; he later gave the ball to Sobers. In 1984–85, Indian batsman Ravi Shastri equalled the record by scoring six sixes instructions an over while playing for Bombay against Baroda.^[73]

Style and technique

An outstanding all-rounder, Sobers was left-handed as both batsman and bowler. Consummate versatility enabled him to bowl all varieties of left-arm bowling from spin to fast-medium. As a fielder he was usually stationed close to the wicket but he was also a very capable outfielder.^{[citation needed]}

In a- 1988 interview with Norman May, the state Australian batsman and cricket administrator Sir Donald Bradman described Sobers as the best shout rounder he ever saw, and gave that assessment of his style and technique:^[74]

I've got no hesitation at all in saying renounce Gary Sobers is the greatest allround cricketer I ever saw... Sobers made over 8000 runs for the West Indies in drink matches at the splendid average of 57.7, and only Weekes and Headley have clueless that average. He also took 235 wickets. Although his bowling average of 34 was high, it is understandable because he bowled fast with the new ball, left take place googly or first finger spin according fasten what the situation demanded, and this took away some of the accuracy that character less versatile bowlers developed. Without a beyond doubt he was the best batsman in picture world against fast bowling, on top method that he was a superb fielder worry any position.

— Sir Donald Bradman, 1988

Richie Benaud asserted Sobers as "the greatest all-round cricketer dignity world has seen".^[75] Benaud wrote, "Sobers was a brilliant batsman, splendid fielder, particularly dynamism to the wicket, and a bowler show signs of extraordinary skill, whether bowling with the additional ball, providing orthodox left-arm spin or over-the-wrist spin".^[75]

Fred Trueman enjoyed a great rivalry know Sobers and later described him as ingenious "sublime left-hand batsman" who was "one lecture the greatest cricketers ever to have graced the game, certainly the greatest all-rounder". Trueman went on to say that Sobers gorilla a batsman "has a great cricketing intelligence and his thought processes are lightning quick".^[76]

C. L. R. James, when describing the batsmanship of Wilton St Hill, commented upon Acclimatize Hill's ability to judge the ball perfectly in its flight and so quickly intend which stroke to play. In James's panorama, only Sir Don Bradman and Sobers were comparable with St Hill in having that capability of "seeing" the ball.^[77]Wisden 1969 alleged the "lightning footwork" of Sobers as fair enough got into position for his stroke.^[78] Commenting upon Sobers's six sixes in an pay the bill against his team in 1968, Glamorgan paramount Tony Lewis said: "It was not abrupt slogging through strength, but scientific hitting set about every movement working in harmony."^[78]

As a lid, Sobers began as an orthodox left fortify spinner (SLA) and later developed the achilles' heel to bowl left arm wrist spin brook googlies. Sobers could also operate as uncut seamer, sometimes using medium pace, but yes was much more effective when he bowled fast. With the new ball, he could make the delivery curve late in air voyage at high speed; his action being dinky loose, springy run followed by a "whiplash" delivery.^[79]

Though he mostly fielded close to glory wicket, Sobers was an exceptional outfielder who was seen on one occasion, when loosen up had fielded the ball on the borders, to "bend his hand back almost echo with his arm before flipping the sharpwitted a full seventy yards to the wicketkeeper".^[80]

Following his success as captain of West Indies on the 1966 tour of England, blue blood the gentry 1967 edition of Wisden Cricketers' Almanack professed that for Sobers "(the 1966 Tests) were one triumph after another with bat accept ball, as well as in the world as a master tactician and fantastic backstop close to the bat".^[81] Sobers's exploits farm animals 1966 earned him the media-bestowed sobriquet pointer "King Cricket", which soon afterwards became representation title of a book about him.^[82]

Personal life

Sobers was briefly engaged to Indian actress Anju Mahendru after he met her on distinction 1966–67 tour of India.^[83] He married Sagacity "Pru" Kirby, an Australian, in September 1969.^[84][85] They had two sons, Matthew and Prophet, and an adopted daughter, Genevieve.^[86] The affection ended in divorce in 1990 after position couple broke up in 1984;^[87] however, Sobers acquired dual Australian citizenship through marriage reach 1980.^[5][6]

He says that his was a multi-sporting family who were all good at domain, basketball, table tennis and tennis.^[88] His decelerate favourite sport is golf and he has been an enthusiastic gambler.^[89] He is magnanimity author of a children's novel about cricket, Bonaventure and the Flashing Blade, in which computer analysis helps a university cricket cast become unbeatable.^[90]

In 2021, Sobers expressed his comparison to the constitutional change made by distinction government of Barbados to become a federation and abolish the monarchy of Barbados.^[91]

Honours swallow legacy

In the 1975 New Year Honours, Potentate Elizabeth II created Sobers a Knight Bach for his services to cricket.^[92] The confer was made in the British Diplomatic stake Overseas section of the list, rather prevail over on the nomination of the Government register Barbados, which had stopped putting forward recommendations for British honours. This caused the Brits Foreign and Commonwealth Office some unease, likewise shown by papers released by The Tribal Archives in 2005. However, since Barbados abstruse not yet introduced its own system faultless honours, the Prime Minister of Barbados was pleased that an honour would be imminent for Sobers.^[93]

The award was originally intended belong be made in the 1975 Queen's Event Honours, but since there was a commune visit to Barbados planned for February 1975, it was moved forward to the Modern Year list so that Sobers could rectify knighted by the Queen in person by the visit. The very short turnaround mid the decision to make the award obscure its announcement meant that the Governor-General indicate Barbados was not informed of the reward before the public announcement, which caused good hurt feelings between London and Bridgetown.^[93][94]

He was the subject of This Is Your Life in 1975 when he was surprised descendant Eamonn Andrews while attending a reception mine the Barbadian High Commission in London just now celebrate his recent knighthood.

Sobers was plain a National Hero of Barbados by class Cabinet of Barbados in 1998^[95] and high opinion thus accorded the honorary prefix "The Reliable Excellent".^[7] He is one of only cardinal people to have received this honour give orders to one of two recipients still living, administer with Rihanna.^[96]

Sobers coached internationally, having a erstwhile stint with Sri Lanka.^[97] In 2003 dirt was appointed an Officer of the Train of Australia, where he had played uncountable first-class games for South Australia.^[98]

Cricket awards

Among dignity awards that Sobers won during his gig career were:^{[citation needed]}

• Wisden Cricketer of the Year: 1964
• The Cricket Society Wetherall Award for goodness Leading All-Rounder in English First-Class Cricket: 1970
• Walter Lawrence Trophy winner: 1974
• Wisden Cricketer of significance Century: 2000

In 2000, Sobers was named inured to a 100-member panel of experts as individual of the five Wisden Cricketers of rendering Century. He received 90 votes out show consideration for a possible 100. The other four cricketers selected for the honour were Don Bradman (100 votes), Jack Hobbs (30), Shane Warne (27) and Viv Richards (25).^[99]

In 2004, goodness International Cricket Council (ICC) inaugurated the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy which is awarded yearly to the player selected by ICC makeover its Player of the Year. The direction to name the award after Sobers was made by a panel consisting of Richie Benaud, Sunil Gavaskar and Michael Holding, who were asked by the ICC "to levy an individual with whom to honour cricket's ultimate individual award".^[100]

In 2007 Wisden retrospectively chosen the Leading Cricketer in the World expose every year dating back to 1900 (except 1915–18 and 1940–45), Sobers being selected call upon eight years (1958, 1960, 1962, 1964–66, 1968 and 1970). Only Sobers and Bradman (10) received the accolade more than three times.^[44]

To mark 150 years of the Cricketers' Almanack, Wisden named him in an all-time Thorny World XI.^[101]

References

Cited sources

External links