Sir Clive Lloyd paid tribute to Sir Garfield Sobers at a state funeral held in Barbados, calling the late icon the greatest all-round cricketer in history. Sobers, who passed away on 17 July at age 89, was remembered as a massive source of pride and inspiration for Caribbean communities.
The service took place at the Kensington Oval, a venue where a pavilion bears the legend’s name. Attendees included prominent figures such as Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, President Jeffrey Bostic, and global superstar Rihanna, alongside cricket greats Brian Lara and Desmond Haynes. Current West Indies players also attended following their recent Test victory.
During his career between 1954 and 1974, Sobers played 93 Tests, securing 8,032 runs and 235 wickets. He famously held the record for the highest Test score for 36 years after hitting 365 not out in 1958. Beyond his statistics, he was noted as the first player to strike six sixes in a single first-class over while playing for Nottinghamshire.
A message from King Charles was read during the ceremony, highlighting Sobers’ unique ability to bring joy to people across the Commonwealth. Prime Minister Mottley noted that even without his athletic accomplishments, Sobers would have been celebrated for his character and community contributions. Following the service, the cricket icon was laid to rest at Coral Ridge Memorial Gardens.
