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Lara urges Caribbean to celebrate 'father figure' Sobers
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Brian Lara has urged the Caribbean to celebrate the life of West Indies cricket legend Garry Sobers, who died at age 89. Sobers, widely regarded as cricket's greatest all-rounder, held the record for the highest individual Test innings (365 not out against Pakistan in 1958) for 36 years until Lara broke it in 1994. Lara, who first met Sobers as a boy in a youth cricket competition, described him as a father figure, general, and mentor. He noted that Sobers and his contemporaries fought for Caribbean independence from English rule, contrasting with later West Indies teams focused on being the best in the world. The article includes tributes from Lara and highlights Sobers' historic achievements.
Source report
Among his many achievements, Sobers's 365 not out against Pakistan in 1958 stood as the highest individual innings in Test cricket for 36 years
Updated - July 28, 2026 11:42 am IST — London
AFP
Brian Lara has urged the "whole of the Caribbean" to celebrate Garry Sobers following the death of the West Indies legend.
Sobers, widely regarded as cricket's most outstanding all-rounder, died aged 89 on Friday, sparking a flood of tributes from around the world.
Among his many achievements, Sobers's 365 not out against Pakistan in 1958 stood as the highest individual innings in Test cricket for 36 years. That record was eventually broken by fellow West Indies left-hander Lara, who made 375 against England in 1994. Sobers walked onto the ground to congratulate him after he had passed 365.
Lara, who first met Sobers as a boy while taking part in a youth cricket competition set up by the Barbados national hero, told Sky Sports:
"He was a father figure, a general, a mentor in my life, so even though I am sad, 89 is a great score. I want to tell the whole of the Caribbean that we need to celebrate his life."
He added:
"In each era of West Indies cricket there is a different motivational factor. Sir Clive Lloyd and Sir Vivian Richards wanted to be the best team in the world. But I read that in the 1950s and 60s it was about making ourselves independent of English rule and Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Frank Worrell, Sir Wes Hall fought for a different purpose. Sir Garfield is the most amazing person I have ever met. Just unbelievable."
Published - July 21, 2026 02:29 am IST
Source
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Western
Part of this Story
Legendary West Indies Cricket Captain Sir Garfield Sobers Dies at 89