Garfield St.Auburn Sobers was a supreme batsman, he could bowl pace or spin and was a brilliant fielder as well as being a superb captain. He is without a doubt the worlds greatest all rounder.

Interviewed by the Nation News following the Oval Test disaster in April 2003.

He said he just couldn’t understand what transpired at Kensington Oval on Saturday evening.

“What is happening is difficult to understand,” said Sir Garfield. “Coming back from South Africa, where they did so well with the bat, and not seeing the England bowlers they probably underestimated them.”

The tourists secured their first Test series victory in the Caribbean since 1968 with Saturday’s eight-wicket win in Barbados.

Ironically Sir Garfield was the captain 36 years ago when England, under Colin Cowdrey last triumphed in the Caribbean. West Indies declared twice in the fourth match in Trinidad and England won, taking the series 1-0.

Brian Lara's side suffered a 3-0 defeat in South Africa prior to England’s visit, but scored eight centuries in a high-scoring four-Test series.

In contrast, West Indies were bowled out for a record low 47 by England in the first Test and tumbled to a Barbados record 94 all out in the third.

West Indies lost by ten wickets at Sabina Park, seven wickets at Queen’s Park Oval, and eight wickets at Kensington Oval.

“They have a lot of ability, they are a very good team,” Sir Garfield said.

The 67-year-old legend rejected calls that Lara should be replaced as captain even though his team could concede their first ever series whitewash at home.

Sobers made his test debut in the fifth test against England in early 1954 batting at number 9 and took 4-81 with the ball. It was not until 1958 in the third test against Pakistan that amid scenes of wild excitement, he surpassed Len Hutton's test record score of 364. He batted for 10 hours 14 minutes, hit 38 fours and put on a mammoth 446 in partnership with Conrad Hunte. Sir Garfield Sobers had shot to stardom in the space of one innings and he scored a century in both innings (125 & 109 not out) in the next test.

Taking over as captain against Australia in early 1965, Sobers led the Windies to a 2-1 series win. He recorded his best bowling of his test career with 6-73 in the second innings of the first test against Australia in 1968-69.

In the third test against India in early 1971 he made a century (178 not out) and took his 200th test wicket in the fourth test before another century (132) in the fifth test 1974 Sobers became the first player to score 8000 test runs (during the second test) and ended with 8032, then a record.


Sobers was on hand to congratulate Brian Lara when Lara made his 375 to brake his own long standing record. There has never been and probably never will be another Gary...Barbados' brightest and best sports personality and a wonderful ambassador for our small country.

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