First Cricketer to Hit Six Sixes in an Over Sir Garfield Sobers Passes Away at 89
Sir Garfield “Garry” Sobers, the West Indies legend widely regarded as the greatest all-round cricketer the game has ever produced, has passed away at the age of 89, bringing to a close one of cricket’s most extraordinary chapters. His death was confirmed by Cricket West Indies, prompting an outpouring of tributes from across the global cricketing fraternity.
Sobers transformed the sport like few others. Equally brilliant with bat and ball, he was capable of bowling left-arm fast-medium, orthodox spin and wrist spin with equal effectiveness, while his athletic fielding made him a complete cricketer. His remarkable versatility redefined the role of an all-rounder and set a benchmark that generations of players have aspired to emulate.
One of the defining moments of his illustrious career came in 1968 when, playing for Nottinghamshire against Glamorgan in the English County Championship, Sobers became the first cricketer in history to hit six sixes in a single over, dispatching Malcolm Nash for six consecutive maximums—an achievement that remains one of cricket’s most celebrated feats.
Sobers made his Test debut for the West Indies as a teenager in 1954 and went on to play 93 Tests over two decades. He amassed 8,032 Test runs at an average of 57.78, including 26 centuries, claimed 235 wickets and held 109 catches. His unbeaten 365 against Pakistan in 1958 stood as the highest individual Test score in the world for more than three decades.
Knighted in 1975 for his services to cricket, Sobers was later declared a National Hero of Barbados and inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. The ICC’s annual award for the Men’s Cricketer of the Year—the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy—bears his name, reflecting his enduring influence on the game.
Following news of his passing, tributes poured in from cricket boards, former players and fans worldwide. ICC Chairman Jay Shah described Sobers as “one of the greatest icons” the game has ever known, while the BCCI hailed him as “a true icon of the game” whose legacy would continue to inspire generations of cricketers.
Sir Garfield Sobers is survived by his family and leaves behind a legacy that transcends statistics. To many, he was not merely the greatest all-rounder in cricket history but one of the finest sportsmen the world has ever seen.
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