Holness, Grange and Hinds honour Sir Garry Sobers after his death at 89

Jamaica’s Government and Opposition have added their voices to Caribbean mourning for West Indies cricket icon Sir Garfield "Garry" Sobers, saluting him among the region’s finest sporting heroes. He died today at the age of 89.

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness said he felt deep sadness at the loss of the Barbadian great, calling him "one of the greatest cricketers the world has ever known and a true son of the Caribbean".

According to Holness, Sir Garry’s outstanding record lifted Barbados and the whole West Indies. He pointed to Sobers’ spell as captain between 1965 and 1972, and to the unbeaten 365 he scored against Pakistan at Sabina Park in 1958 — a mark that remained the highest individual Test total for 36 years.

Holness, who ranks him among cricket’s finest all-rounders, said Sir Garry’s skill, captaincy, humility and devotion to the sport motivated successive generations and drew Caribbean people together through their love of the game. On behalf of the Jamaican Government and public, he offered sympathy to Sir Garry’s relatives, Barbadians and cricket followers everywhere.

Sports Minister Olivia Grange likewise conveyed profound sympathy, branding Sir Garry "an absolute titan" whose record captured West Indian excellence, pride and identity.

Grange stressed Jamaica’s particular link to the legend: it was at Sabina Park, aged 21, that he posted the historic 365 not out versus Pakistan, an innings that locked in his standing among cricket’s immortals. She also recalled that in 1968, playing for Nottinghamshire, he became the first batsman in first-class cricket to clear the boundary six times in one over, and that Sir Donald Bradman had labelled Sobers "the greatest all-round cricketer the game has seen".

"Sir Garfield Sobers did not just play for the West Indies. He defined us. He showed that small island states could produce the biggest talent," Grange said.

Opposition Spokesperson on Labour and Sport Wavell Hinds, for his part, placed Sir Garfield among the Caribbean’s greatest sporting figures and said his imprint reaches across generations. Hinds argued that Sobers’ deeds helped make the West Indies a powerhouse in world cricket and turned him into an emblem of regional pride.

Looking back on his own West Indies career, Hinds remembered batting tips from Sir Garry at a 2005 training camp in Barbados — guidance he credited with helping him post his highest Test score soon after, against South Africa in Guyana.

The Opposition People’s National Party also sent condolences to the Sobers family, Barbados’ Government and people, Cricket West Indies and supporters worldwide, casting Sir Garfield as a sporting giant whose mark will last for generations.