West Indies legend and 'greatest-ever all-rounder' Garry Sobers passes away

[p][b]"A great innings has come to an end. In our hearts, now and forever, Sir Garfield Sobers,"[/b] [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/west-indies/jTD1lMfO/"]West Indies[/a] Cricket posted on X above a photograph of him titled 'Legend. Icon. Hero'.[/p][p]Sobers played 93 Tests between 1954 and 1974, scored 8,032 runs at an average of 57.78 and took 235 wickets at 34.03 runs each.[/p][p]In a poll of 100 cricket experts in 1999, both Australian batsman Donald Bradman and Sobers were chosen in Wisden's Five Cricketers of the 20th Century with the West Indian all-rounder garnering 90 votes.[/p][embed guid="445bd741-e8d8-4484-8cf6-2839f8b27fb1" url="https://x.com/windiescricket/status/2078134366778118190" social-type="twitter" /][p]Bradman had an extraordinary 100 votes and yet before his own death in 2001, 'the Don' paid the ultimate tribute to Sobers.[/p][p][b]"He is, in my opinion, the greatest cricketer of all time,"[/b] said Bradman.[/p][p]For many, he is perhaps best known for becoming the first player to hit six sixes in one over - Glamorgan's Malcolm Nash being the unfortunate bowler when Sobers played county cricket for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/nottinghamshire/WU3RuyXJ/"]Nottinghamshire[/a].[/p][p]They paid tribute to him, describing him as [b]"cricket's greatest-ever all-rounder and an iconic figure in Nottinghamshire history".[/b][/p][p][b]"We are extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Sir Garfield Sobers,"[/b] the club said.[/p][embed guid="c0ba5f70-6ac0-4317-a288-3f50626d6732" url="https://x.com/englandcricket/status/2078139041971576979" social-type="twitter" /][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/england/UJC5mtAU/"]England[/a] also paid tribute on social media, calling Sobers [b]"one of the greatest to ever play the game".[/b][/p][p][b]"Forever in our hearts, Sir Garfield Sobers,"[/b] they added.[/p][p]Indian cricket's governing body, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), paid a fulsome tribute as well.[/p][p][b]"The BCCI mourns the passing of Sir Garfield Sobers, a true icon of the game and one of cricket's greatest-ever all-rounders,"[/b] it said.[/p][p][b]"His extraordinary achievements, lasting influence on Caribbean cricket and immeasurable contribution to the global game have left an enduring legacy that will continue to inspire generations,"[/b] they added and posted a video of Sobers interacting with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and other Indian players during the tour of the West Indies in 2024.[/p]