The 'ultimate all-round sportsman' - Garfield Sobers could do it all

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. The 'ultimate all-round sportsman' - Sobers could do it allImage source, SportImage caption, Sir Garfield Sobers was one of cricket's all-time greatsByMark MitchenerBBC Sport Senior JournalistPublished20 minutes agoSir Garfield Sobers, who has died aged 89, was rightly chosen as one of the leading five cricketers of the 20th century - and will be remembered as arguably the best all-rounder in the history of the game. A national hero of Barbados, he was a legend in the West Indies on the back of a Test career that spanned 20 years, and was knighted soon after his retirement. But he will also be fondly remembered in England after playing for county side Nottinghamshire - for whom he wrote his name into the record books when he became the first man to hit six sixes in an over in a professional game.

Decades before coaches began to insist their players be 'multi-dimensional' cricketers rather than only contributing in one facet of the game, Sobers was the ultimate all-round sportsman. A hard-hitting left-handed middle-order batter, he was capable of bowling in three distinct styles, as well as being an athletic fielder and a fine close catcher. Indeed, he would often take the new ball, bowling left-arm fast-medium - and then return later in the innings having switched to orthodox left-arm spin, or even left-arm wrist-spin.

The Details

When added to his batting and fielding, he was a captain's dream - effectively five cricketers in one. West Indies legend Sobers dies aged 89 Published1 hour agoFrom Barbados to the world stageImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, The statue of Sir Garfield Sobers stands proudly outside Kensington Oval in BridgetownGarfield St Aubrun Sobers was born in Bridgetown on 28 July 1936, but was only five when his merchant seaman father was killed in World War Two, leaving his mother Thelma to raise half-a-dozen children. Young Garry was born with an extra finger on each hand, which were removed during childhood.

Having excelled at several sports as a schoolboy, he was recruited to local club cricket in his early teens and made his first-class debut at the age of 16 against the Indian tourists at his home town's Kensington Oval - the ground whose pavilion would one day bear his name. Sobers was selected to bat at number nine and bowl spin for a star-studded Barbados line-up - he was one of eight current or future Test players, of which no fewer than four would be knighted. He took four wickets in the first innings and three in the second.

And with only one other first-class appearance under his belt, his Test debut came 14 months later as a 17-year-old chosen to take on England in the final Test in Jamaica in early 1954 after the Windies' regular left-arm spinner Alf Valentine fell ill. Again, he captured four wickets on debut.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.