Sir Garfield Sobers dies at 89

West Indies cricket legend Sir Garfield Sobers dies at 89

7 verified3 unconfirmed

Sir Garfield Sobers, widely considered one of the greatest all-round cricketers in history, has died at the age of 89. West Indies Cricket announced the death on Friday, describing the former captain as a player whose “great innings has come to an end.” Sobers represented the West Indies in an international career that spanned two decades, from 1954 to 1974. Known for his powerful batting, versatile bowling—encompassing medium pace and spin—and athletic fielding, he was a national hero in Barbados and a knighted figure in world cricket. He scored 8,032 runs in 93 Test matches at an average of 57.78 and took 235 wickets. At age 21, he set a then-record Test innings of 365 not out against Pakistan. Tributes from England Cricket and the International Cricket Council described him as “one of the greatest to ever play the game.”

What’s verified

Sir Garfield Sobers died at the age of 89.

He was a former West Indies cricket captain and is regarded as one of the sport’s greatest all-rounders.

His Test career lasted from 1954 to 1974.

In 93 Tests, Sobers scored 8,032 runs at an average of 57.78 and took 235 wickets.

At age 21, he scored 365 not out against Pakistan, then the highest individual Test innings.

He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.

He was born in Barbados on July 28, 1936.

Not yet confirmed

One source reports that Sobers took 109 Test catches; this detail is not mentioned by the other source.

The exact date of death is not specified in either source beyond the announcement on Friday, July 17, 2026.

Numerous biographical details—including the six-sixes feat, his county career with Nottinghamshire, his captaincy controversies, and his later life—appear in only one source.