Sir Garfield Sobers

Sir Garfield Sobers - One of the Finest All-rounders in Cricket, Family and Childhood

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Sir Garfield Sobers's Personal Details

Sir Garfield Sobers is a former West Indian cricketer, regarded as the finest all-rounder ever in the cricketing history

InformationDetail
BirthdayJuly 28, 1936
NationalityBarbadian
FamousSportspersons, Cricketers, One of the Finest All-rounders in Cricket
Nick namesGarry Sobers
SpousesPru Kirby
Known asSir Garfield St Aubrun Sobers, Gary Sobers
Birth PlaceBridgetown, Barbados
Height180
GenderMale
FatherShamont Sobers
MotherThelma Sobers
Net Worth$4 Million as of Jan 26,2017
Sun SignLeo
Born inBridgetown, Barbados
Famous asOne of the finest all-rounders in cricket

Sir Garfield Sobers's photo

Who is Sir Garfield Sobers?

Sir Garfield Sobers is a former West Indian cricketer, regarded as the finest all-rounder ever in the cricketing history. He was left-handed batsman and bowler and such was his popularity that Bradman himself called Sobers the "five-in-one cricketer". He was an all-rounder not only in the general sense of the term, but apart from being an outstanding batsman, he was an exceptional bowler who could bowl in every conceivable style, from medium pace to left arm spin. He was also a brilliant fielder at any position but particularly adept in close-to-the-wicket fielding. As a child he and his brother Gerald used their cricketing talent to help their boys’ school team to win the Inter-school Cricket championship for three consecutive years. This cricketing talent eventually took him to international fame. He played some unforgettable innings in his career astonishing everybody with his extraordinary skills. His Test career lasted for about 20 years, and he captained for his country 39 times. As a result of his numerous skills and records in the game, he has long been viewed as a cricketing genius. He is still regarded as the one of the greatest cricketers ever to have graced the game and certainly the greatest all-rounder in the history of cricket.

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Childhood & Early Life

He was born on July 28, 1936 in Bridgetown, Barbados to Shamont and Thelma Sobers. He was the fifth of the six children in his family.

In January 1942, his father died at sea when his ship was torpedoed by a German U-boat. At birth he had two extra fingers, one on each hand, which he removed himself in childhood.

He received his early education at Bay St. School, Barbados. He was a talented kid and excelled in many sports such as cricket, football and basketball.

At the age of 13, he was recruited to play for two cricket teams where he gained useful experience by bowling to Wanderers batsmen during net practice and soon developed his great skill as a left arm spin bowler.

Career

In 1953, he made his first-class debut at the age of 16 against the Indian touring team at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown. He did not score much in batting but made an instant impression as a bowler, taking a total of seven wickets in the match.

At the age of 17, he made his international test debut against England at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica. He took four wickets in the match and made a good impression as a pace bowler.

From 1954 to 1957, he played in several test series, domestic as well as overseas, against Australia, New Zealand and England. He was able to register his presence in some of the matches but failed to convert good starts into high scores.

One of his earlier mature performances was seen in the 1957 Oval test against England, where his team was bundled out for 89 and 86 in the successive innings of the match but he managed to score 39 and 42. No other West Indian player was able to reach an individual score of 30 in the match.

During the period of 1958–1965, he showcased his true talent and made more than a dozen centuries against various teams including India and England. But, his most memorable batting performance was his maiden Test century which he scored against Pakistan in Kingston. He went on to convert his century in an unbeaten 365, breaking the world record Test score of 364 set by England's Len Hutton in 1938.

He captained West Indies for the first time in the 1964–65 home series against Australia and won the series 2-1. West Indies also won test series against England in 1966 and against India in 1966–67 under his captaincy.

During his captaincy, he also faced criticism for his controversial declaration against England in 1967–68 home series. Because of his declaration, West Indies lost the test match, which was clearly headed towards a draw.

He also captained the ‘Rest of the World XI’ team in the 1970 test series against England and 1972 test series against Australia.

He also played in English league cricket, domestic first class competitions in Australia, and county championships in England. He played his only ODI in 1973 against England, took one wicket in the match.

He played his last Test match against England at Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, in 1974. Overall, he took 235 wickets at an average of 34.03 and made 8032 runs, with 26 centuries and 30 half-centuries, in his career of 93 Tests.

Awards & Achievements

In 1958, he became the youngest player to break the individual scoring record in Tests with his unbeaten 365 against Pakistan and still remains the youngest triple-centurion.

He was named the ‘West Indian Cricket Cricketer of the Year’ (1958–59).

In 1964, he was conferred the title of ‘Wisden Cricketer of the Year’.

In 1968, while playing for Nottinghamshire against Glamorgan at Swansea, he became the first cricketer to hit six sixes in an over in first class cricket. Malcolm Nash was the poor bowler who was at the receiving end.

When he retired from test cricket in 1974, he held the record for the most runs in test cricket.

In the 1975 New Year Honours, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to cricket.

He was honored as the ‘Wisden Cricketer of the Century’ in 2000.

In 2004, the International Cricket Council (ICC) inaugurated the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy which is awarded to the ICICI‘s ‘Player of the Year’ annually.

Personal Life & Legacy

On his 1966-67 tour to India, he met the Indian actress, Anju Mahendru and was engaged to her for a brief period.

In September 1969, he married Pru Kirby, an Australian woman. They were blessed with two sons, Matthew and Daniel. They also have an adopted daughter, Genevieve. But the couple got separated in 1984 and eventually divorced each other in 1990.

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Sir Garfield Sobers biography timelines

  • // 28th Jul 1936
    He was born on July 28, 1936 in Bridgetown, Barbados to Shamont and Thelma Sobers. He was the fifth of the six children in his family.
  • // 1942
    In January 1942, his father died at sea when his ship was torpedoed by a German U-boat. At birth he had two extra fingers, one on each hand, which he removed himself in childhood.
  • // 1953
    In 1953, he made his first-class debut at the age of 16 against the Indian touring team at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown. He did not score much in batting but made an instant impression as a bowler, taking a total of seven wickets in the match.
  • // 1954 To 1957
    From 1954 to 1957, he played in several test series, domestic as well as overseas, against Australia, New Zealand and England. He was able to register his presence in some of the matches but failed to convert good starts into high scores.
  • // 1958 To 1965
    During the period of 1958–1965, he showcased his true talent and made more than a dozen centuries against various teams including India and England. But, his most memorable batting performance was his maiden Test century which he scored against Pakistan in Kingston. He went on to convert his century in an unbeaten 365, breaking the world record Test score of 364 set by England's Len Hutton in 1938.
  • // 1964
    He captained West Indies for the first time in the 1964–65 home series against Australia and won the series 2-1. West Indies also won test series against England in 1966 and against India in 1966–67 under his captaincy.
  • // 1964
    In 1964, he was conferred the title of ‘Wisden Cricketer of the Year’.
  • // 1967
    During his captaincy, he also faced criticism for his controversial declaration against England in 1967–68 home series. Because of his declaration, West Indies lost the test match, which was clearly headed towards a draw.
  • // 1968
    In 1968, while playing for Nottinghamshire against Glamorgan at Swansea, he became the first cricketer to hit six sixes in an over in first class cricket. Malcolm Nash was the poor bowler who was at the receiving end.
  • // 1969
    In September 1969, he married Pru Kirby, an Australian woman. They were blessed with two sons, Matthew and Daniel. They also have an adopted daughter, Genevieve. But the couple got separated in 1984 and eventually divorced each other in 1990.
  • // 1970
    He also captained the ‘Rest of the World XI’ team in the 1970 test series against England and 1972 test series against Australia.
  • // 1973
    He also played in English league cricket, domestic first class competitions in Australia, and county championships in England. He played his only ODI in 1973 against England, took one wicket in the match.
  • // 1974
    He played his last Test match against England at Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, in 1974. Overall, he took 235 wickets at an average of 34.03 and made 8032 runs, with 26 centuries and 30 half-centuries, in his career of 93 Tests.
  • // 1975
    In the 1975 New Year Honours, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to cricket.
  • // 2000
    He was honored as the ‘Wisden Cricketer of the Century’ in 2000.
  • // 2004
    In 2004, the International Cricket Council (ICC) inaugurated the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy which is awarded to the ICICI‘s ‘Player of the Year’ annually.

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Sir Garfield Sobers's FAQ

  • What is Sir Garfield Sobers birthday?

    Sir Garfield Sobers was born at 1936-07-28

  • Where is Sir Garfield Sobers's birth place?

    Sir Garfield Sobers was born in Bridgetown, Barbados

  • What is Sir Garfield Sobers nationalities?

    Sir Garfield Sobers's nationalities is Barbadian

  • What is Sir Garfield Sobers nick names?

    Sir Garfield Sobers's nickNames is Garry Sobers

  • Who is Sir Garfield Sobers spouses?

    Sir Garfield Sobers's spouses is Pru Kirby

  • How tall is Sir Garfield Sobers?

    Sir Garfield Sobers's height is 180

  • Who is Sir Garfield Sobers's father?

    Sir Garfield Sobers's father is Shamont Sobers

  • Who is Sir Garfield Sobers's mother?

    Sir Garfield Sobers's mother is Thelma Sobers

  • What is Sir Garfield Sobers's sun sign?

    Sir Garfield Sobers is Leo

  • How famous is Sir Garfield Sobers?

    Sir Garfield Sobers is famouse as One of the finest all-rounders in cricket