Garfield SOBERS

There can be little doubt Sir Garfield Sobers was the greatest cricketer of the 20th Century. His batting alone would have made him one of the main contenders. Gary Sobers began his Test career in Jamaica in 1953-54 when he was chosen against England as a left arm spinner. He batted at number nine, scoring 14 not out and 26. He moved up the order when Australia came to the Caribbean, scoring 43 as an opening bat and 64 at number five. There were more half centuries in England in 1957, but fans were beginning to worry he had not made a century. He then made 365 not out, batting on against Pakistan in Trinidad in 1958 until he passed the then record Test score, made by Sir Leonard Huttion in 1938. He batted for 10 hours and 14 minutes.

In the Fourth Test of that series he opened and made a century in each innings. Many more followed: 142 not out against India in the old Brabourne stadium, 198 in Kanpur, 106 not out in Calcutta. Against Peter May's England team in 1960 he made 226 in the first Test followed by two other centuries and a 90. His 132 in Brisbane in 1960-61 set up the great tied Test and he made 168 in Sydney as well. In England in 1966 he made 161 at Old Trafford, followed by 163 not out at Lord's where he and his cousin David Holford saved West Indies from defeat.

He was still going strong in 1973, when he made 150 not out despite having to break off in the middle of the innings with a stomach upset. Sobers captained West Indies in the Rothman's World Cup at Lord's in 1967. (Bob Harragan)