Vale Sir Garfield Sobers

The Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) is saddened by the passing of West Indies all-rounder Sir Garfield Sobers, an Honorary Cricket Member and one of the greatest cricketers the game has known.

Sobers represented the West Indies in 93 Test matches between 1954 and 1974, scoring 8,032 runs at an average of 57.78 and taking 235 wickets at an average of 34.03.

In 1958, aged just 21, Sobers made 365 not out against Pakistan at Sabina Park, a world record individual Test score that stood for 36 years until Brian Lara passed it in 1994. Ten years later, playing for Nottinghamshire, he became the first man to hit six sixes in a single over, a feat that remains one of cricket's most celebrated moments.

Sobers had an impressive record at the MCG. He starred in West Indies' famous 1960-61 tour of Australia, the series that gave rise to the Frank Worrell Trophy, and took 5/120 in the Fifth Test at the MCG, earning himself a place on the MCG Honour Boards.

In January 1972, representing a World XI against Australia at the MCG, he made 254, an innings Sir Donald Bradman described as “probably the greatest innings ever played on Australian soil.”

Sobers captained the West Indies from 1965 to 1972 and was knighted for his services to cricket in 1975. He was named one of Wisden's five Cricketers of the Century in 2000 and was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2009.

In recognition of his contribution to the game, Sobers was made an MCC Honorary Cricket Member. He is also celebrated in the Shrine to Test Cricket in the Members' Reserve, a key stop on the MCG Tour.

MCC President Fred Oldfield said Sobers' legacy would endure at the MCG.

“Sir Garfield Sobers was, without question, one of the greatest cricketers ever to play the game and he had a profound connection to the MCG.

“I was privileged to witness his famous innings in 1972, and it’s one of my most treasured memories at this ground. We are honoured to celebrate his career here and share it with generations to come.

“On behalf of the Club, we extend our condolences to Sir Garfield's family, friends and to all those across the cricket world who loved him.”