sir garfield sobers

[Ken Gargett]

just had one of the most thrilling nights in years. my uncle invited me to a dinner at the Queensland Club (sister mightily irritated as women not permitted) with Sir Garfield Sobers. and rather than have him do a set speech, an old mate of mine from uni (now a QC) simply "interviewed" him. he'd also set up a number of videos for us - the 6 six's, the tied test, the 254 at the MCG.

they spoke for the best part of two hours. you could not imagine a more humble, terrific speaker. turned 80 this year and still sharp as a razor, he spoke with humour, humility and wisdom. told all sorts of stories, spoke extremely highly of the don, made the very good point that there have been so many rule changes, all in favour of batting, that it is impossible to even conceive of comparing the game from his era to this current one.

told the story, which i had not heard, of his last test where he scored 150 no, at the age of 37. 20 no, overnight, he'd been at clive lloyd's place in london for dinner and after dinner, clive suggested a club. sobers spent the night chasing a woman who evaded him around 4am. went back to his place with another player (would not name him as the guy was married at the time and also chasing women) and drank till 9.30am. quick shower, off to the ground, and he had no idea what was happening. reckons he did not see the first five balls and then every ball hit the middle of the bat and he reached the ton. told the umps he had to retire hurt at that stage as he had been desperate for the facilities for all manner of reasons. ump says but you are not hurt. sobers told him to find a reason. bolted off. and then went to the bar for a brandy and a port, which he reckons is guaranteed to cure a hangover. someone serves him another double brandy so he scoffs that, convinced kanhai will declare as they were 5 for more than 500 and so he would not have to bat again. sobers says kanhai thought it would be fun to make him bat again so does not declare. sobers has to go back out, even worse for wear. gets to 150 and then kanhai declares. sobers says it was because he had 157 and he did not want sobers passing it.

so many great stories.

had the chance to have a short chat with him.

such a wonderful bloke.

and for our american brethren who don't know him, a west indian cricketer, who was the greatest allrounder the game has ever seen. and many think the 2nd greatest batsman, behind the don. so that would be like a baseballer who is one of the two greatest hitters of all time but he is also one of the absolute greatest pitchers ever to play (both with fast balls and curves/sliders etc) and also one of the finest shortstops and out-fielders. all rolled into one. he was that good.

a real honour to meet him.

[JohnS]

I would have loved to have heard him speak Ken! What a great night!

[TheBaron]

Oh, to have been a fly on that wall. It's funny, he played well before my time but has always been one of my cricketing 'heroes'. (Something about class flowing through generations.)

Great anecdote, Ken. Love it when sporting heroes turn out to be the absolute gentlemen you always thought they were rather than being disappointed to find out thy're complete tools.

Mr Sobers, I doff my cap, sir.

[Ken Gargett]

46 minutes ago, TheBaron said:

Oh, to have been a fly on that wall. It's funny, he played well before my time but has always been one of my cricketing 'heroes'. (Something about class flowing through generations.)

Great anecdote, Ken. Love it when sporting heroes turn out to be the absolute gentlemen you always thought they were rather than being disappointed to find out thy're complete tools.

Mr Sobers, I doff my cap, sir.

i'm old enough to have seen him as a young kid (live), a couple of times. magic player. all back foot, massive follow through. brilliant.

he was saying that he is, as far as he knows, the only batsman who never moved his feet at all until the ball left the bowler's hand. just the way he did things.