After a long career of extraordinary achievements and countless hours of entertainment, Sir Garfield Sobers retired in 1974. The following year’s Wisden Almanack paid this tribute.
Sir Garfield Sobers, the finest all-round player in the history of cricket, has announced his retirement from full time county cricket at the age of 38. Circumstances seem to suggest he will not be seen again in Test matches. He was not with West Indies on their recent tour of India and Pakistan; and they have no other international commitment until 1976, when their full-length tour of England might well prove too physically trying for a 40-year old Sobers, most deservedly given a knighthood in the New Year Honours.
So it is likely that international cricket has seen the last of its most versatile performer. For 20 years – plus, to be precise, seven days – he served and graced West Indian cricket in almost every capacity. To review his career compels so many statistics as might mask the splendidly exciting quality of his play. Nevertheless, since many of his figures are, quite literally, unequalled, they must be quoted.
Between March 30, 1954 and April 5, 1974, for West Indies, he appeared in 93 Tests – more than any other overseas cricketer: he played the highest Test innings – 365 not out against Pakistan at Kingston in 1958; scored the highest individual aggregate of runs in Test matches; and captained his country a record 39 times. His 110 catches and – except for a left hander – his 235 wickets are not unique: but his talents in those directions alone justified a Test place. I quote his West Indies figures.
An amazing man, he still insists, “As long as I am fit and the West Indies need me, I will be willing to play for them.” Only time will tell if we shall see him in the Test arena again. In October last he joined the executive staff of National Continental Corporation to promote the company’s products in the Caribbean and United Kingdom.
And now he has joined his lamented compatriots Sir Learie Constantine and Sir Frank Worrell with the title Sir Garfield Sobers.
