After Garry Sobers’ demise, Brian Lara has called on the “whole of the Caribbean” to honor the West Indies legend.
Sobers, considered by many to be the greatest all-rounder in cricket, passed away on Friday at the age of 89, prompting a barrage of condolences from around the globe.
Among his many accomplishments, Sobers’s 365 not out against Pakistan in 1958 held the record for the longest individual innings in Test cricket for 36 years.
After fellow West Indies left-hander Lara reached 375 against England in 1994, Sobers went to the ground to congratulate him on surpassing 365.
“He was a father figure, a general, and a mentor in my life, so even though I am sad, 89 is a great score,” Lara, who first met Sobers as a youngster while participating in a junior cricket competition organized by the national hero of Barbados, told Sky Sports.
“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.”
