West Indies legend Sir Garfield Sobers passed away at his home in Barbados on Friday, July 17, just days ahead of his 90th birthday (July 28). The former West Indies captain is regarded by many experts and fans as the greatest all-rounder ever to have graced the game.
Sobers was part of the West Indies team from 1954 to 1974 and created a number of exceptional records during his international career. In 1958, he surpassed Len Hutton's record (364) for the highest individual Test score by scoring 365* against Pakistan in Jamaica. This was a record for many years until another West Indies legend Brian Lara broke it by scoring 375 in Antigua in 1994.
Sobers ended his Test career with 93 matches. In this feature, we compare his stats with those of former South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis after the latter had also played the same number of Test matches.
In 93 Tests, Sobers notched up 8,032 runs at an average of 57.78. Of his runs, 3,214 came in 36 Tests against England, averaging 60.64. The southpaw also scored 1,920 runs in 18 matches against India at an average of 83.47 and 1,510 runs in 19 Tests against Australia at an average of 43.14. Further, in eight Tests against Pakistan, he scored 984 runs, averaging 89.45.
After 93 Tests, Kallis had scored 7,337 runs at an average of 56.87. The Proteas great had scored 1,856 runs in 18 Tests against the West Indies at an average of 77.33. Also, he had scored 1,412 runs in 20 Tests against England at an average of 47.06 and 817 runs in nine Tests against New Zealand at an average of 68.08. Further, in six Tests against India, he had 579 runs at an average of 82.71.
Sobers hit 26 tons and 30 fifties in his Test career. His highest score of 365* came against Pakistan in Kingston in February 1958 and included 38 fours. The West Indies legend also scored 226 against England in Bridgetown (January 1960) and 198 against India in Kanpur (December 1958).
(Sobers vs Kallis - Batting stats comparison after 93 Tests)
After 93 Tests, Kallis had 22 hundreds and 37 half-centuries to his name. His best at that stage was 189*, which came against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo in September 2001. The knock featured 19 fours and three sixes. He had also scored 177 against the West Indies in Durban in December 2003 and 162 against England at the same venue in December 2004.
In 93 Tests, Sobers took 235 wickets at an average of 34.03. The former West Indies all-rounder bowled left-arm spin and medium pace as well. He picked up 102 wickets in 36 Tests against England at an average of 32.57 and 59 scalps in 18 Tests against India, averaging 25.69. Sobers also claimed 51 wickets in 19 Tests against Australia at an average of 39.68.
After 93 Tests, Kallis had 183 wickets to his name at an average of 31.60. The right-arm pacer had picked up 44 wickets in 18 Tests against the West Indies at an average of 29.43 and 34 wickets in 20 Tests against England at an average of 34.02. He had also claimed 23 wickets in 12 Tests against Sri Lanka at an average of 30.86 and 22 scalps in 12 Tests against Australia, averaging 39.68.
In 93 Tests, Sobers picked up six five-wicket hauls. His best innings figures of 6-73 came against Australia in Brisbane in December 1968. The West Indies great also claimed 5-41 against England in Leeds in August 1966 and 5-63 against India in Kingston in April 1962.
(Sobers vs Kallis - Bowling stats comparison after 93 Tests)
After 93 Tests, Kallis had four five-wicket hauls to his name. His best innings figures of 6-54 came against England in Leeds in August 2003. Kallis had also picked up 6-67 against the West Indies in Bridgetown in March 2001, 5-90 against the same opponent in Cape Town in January 1999 and 5-21 against Bangladesh in Potchefstroom in October 2002.
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