West Indies Cricket Legend Sir Garry Sobers Dies at 89
Sir Garfield 'Garry' Sobers, widely regarded as one of cricket's greatest all-rounders and a former West Indies captain, died at the age of 89, just 10 days short of his 90th birthday. A left-handed batter and left-arm bowler, Sobers played 93 Tests for the West Indies between 1954 and 1974, scoring 8,032 runs at an average of 57.78 with 26 centuries, and taking 235 Test wickets. He was the first batter to hit six sixes in an over in first-class cricket, achieving the feat for Nottinghamshire against Glamorgan in 1968. His death marks the passing of a giant of the game.
Key Facts & Details
7 points- 1Sir Garry Sobers, legendary West Indies all-rounder, died at 89.
- 2He played 93 Tests (1954-1974), scoring 8,032 runs at an average of 57.78 with 26 centuries.
- 3He also took 235 Test wickets as a left-arm bowler.
- 4He was the first batter to hit six sixes in an over in first-class cricket (1968).
- 5He was a former West Indies captain and is regarded as one of cricket's greatest all-rounders.
Deep Dive
- +Sobers achieved the six-sixes feat for Nottinghamshire against Glamorgan in 1968.
- +He was knighted for his services to cricket, becoming 'Sir Garfield Sobers'.
Exam Focus
Which cricketing great, the first to hit six sixes in an over, died at 89 in July 2026?
Related Topics
Exam Relevance & Angle
Obituaries of internationally renowned sportspersons are testable obituaries/sports GA items. Sobers' name, West Indies link and the six-sixes record are precise hooks.
Target Exams
Background & Context
Sir Garfield Sobers, born in Barbados in 1936, is celebrated as among the finest all-rounders in cricket history — excelling with both bat and ball and in the field. His feat of hitting six sixes in a single over (against Glamorgan's Malcolm Nash in 1968) was the first in first-class cricket and remains iconic. He captained the West Indies and was knighted for his contributions to the sport.
Test Yourself
1 / 2Sir Garry Sobers, who died at 89, was the first batter to achieve which feat in first-class cricket?
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