Famous Cricketers No 42 - Gary Sobers

Largely because of his modest roots, engaging personality and flamboyant cricket, Sobers has always been a popular performer everywhere. His career contained only three misadventures. He was the unfortunate driver of the car involved in that fatal crash in 1959 which claimed the life of his closest friend, the effervescent ‘Collie’ Smith who then appeared on the threshold of a great career as one of cricket’s finest all-rounders. Sobers never really forgave himself for his role in that tragedy. Many West Indians found it difficult, too, to forgive him for that infamous loss to England in 1968 and his ill-advised journey to Rhodesia in 1970. These matters, however, have long since been forgotten. Throughout the Caribbean Sobers is revered as a mighty legend who performed at a level that has never yet been matched. 1952/53 Garfield Sobers made his first-class début on 31 January 1953 at the age of 16 years, 187 days. He was (and still is) the fourth youngest player (after Roy Marshall, Clyde Walcott and Derek Sealy) ever to represent Barbados. Although originally intended to serve as twelfth man, he made the most of the opportunity when the fast bowler, Frank King, asked to be rested for the Bridgetown Test against India. Sobers saw his second delivery go sailing over the boundary for a huge six by Polly Umrigar, but he gained immediate revenge by dismissing that great Indian batsman in his first over. He was largely responsible for India’s failure to avoid the follow-on after Barbados had amassed the huge first-innings score of 606/7 declared. Weekes (253), Atkinson (81), C.B. Williams (60), Walcott (51) and Goddard (50 not out) enjoyed a field day with the bat. Entering at No. 9, Gary had time only for 7 not out, including a beautiful boundary, before Goddard called a halt to the massacre. In the second innings, however, the tourists fared considerably better and the match ended in a draw. Sobers sent down 67 overs in the second innings. Rather interestingly, he was never again required to bowl as many in any one innings. Nor did he ever again bowl as many as 35 maidens in a single innings. Also of interest is the curious fact that while Goddard was his first batting partner in first-class cricket, Sobers was later to become Goddard’s last (in 1958 against Pakistan at Bridgetown). Own Team O M R W Opp Ct Total Total 1. Barbados v Indians, Bridgetown, January 31, February 2, 3, 4, 5 (Match drawn) not out 7 606/7d 22 5 50 4 P.R.Umrigar b 209 D.G.Phadkar b D.K.Gaekwad lbw D.H.Shodhan lbw 67 35 92 3 V.L.Manjrekar lbw 445/9 D.G.Phadkar b D.K.Gaekwad b SEASON’S AVERAGES Batting and Fielding M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct Barbados 1 1 1 7 7* - - - - Bowling O M R W BB Ave 5i 10m Barbados (6-ball) 89 40 142 7 4/50 20.28 - - 1953/54 Whereas Sobers had been selected as a left-arm spinner for the game against the Indians in 1953, he had now emerged as a full-fledged all-rounder in his 17th year. Promoted to No. 5, he batted with great poise in the first innings when Barbados were struggling at 73/4, having lost Cammie Smith, Noel Lucas, Walcott and Weekes surprisingly cheaply. With Atkinson (151), he helped to restore the balance with a fine fifth wicket stand of 118. Losing his concentration after almost three hours at the crease, he was tempted by a high-tossed leg-break from Denis Compton, who thus became the first bowler to capture Gary’s wicket in first-class cricket. Sobers again shaped promisingly in the second innings but was bowled by Jim Laker just when he seemed well set for greater things. His bowling on 10