Sobers still playing as straight as ever

Press, 24 August 1988, Page 48

Sobers still playing as straight as ever

By

JOHN COFFEY

Garry Sobers was renowned for his positive nature, and his extraordinary all-round skills, on the cricket fields during a 20-year test career. That quality is also evident in a just-released biography of the great West Indian player. Sobers; Twenty Years at the Top has been written by (Sir Garfield) Sobers with the assistance of an English journalist, Brian Scovell. After so many boring, rushed-into-print books about cricketers who believe they can hang a story on the latest international incident or one productive season, the Sobers story is a refreshing contrast. For a start, the man has an interesting tale to tell. Garfield St Auburn Sobers was one of seven children born to the family of a merchant seaman in Barbados; his father was killed when his ship was torpedoed by a U-boat five years later. From such humble and distressing beginnings did Sobers advance to become cricket’s finest all-round participant. Sobers’ cricket career was also studded with remarkable events. He still holds the world record for the highest test innings, and doubts that his unbeaten 365 will be exceeded. One other player has equalled his feat of hitting six sixes in a firstclass over; and there has been a second tied test

But Sobers was the central figure in so many unique matches or happenings that the reader moves from one

highlight to another. Just as much appreciated is the forthright manner in which Sobers gives his opinions of

other players, match situations, even selfanalysis. He quite openly writes of his drinking (which increased in volume and frequency after the tragic death of Collie Smith in a car accident when Sobers was at the wheel), nightclubbing, gambling and the breakdown of his marriage. No edge-of-the-bat innuendos here. Sobers plays everything off the middle. One of the most intriguing aspects of an otherwise illustrious career which is not explained — so long and noteworthy was his career than any book of just over 200 pages could only scratch the surface — was his lack of success against and in New Zealand. As a test batsman Sobers averaged 57.78 runs per innings. Against New Zealand it dropped to 23.76; in New Zealand there was another dip to 15.10; at Eden Park he mustered 13 runs in four innings with a top score of 11. There is an occasional mention of “unpredictable pitches” in New Zealand. But Sobers’ bowling statistics were not markedly improved by such conditions. Sobers does not subscribe to the widespread opinion that touring on the Indian sub-continent is more of a burden than a pleasure. In spite of an infamous riot in Calcutta during one West Indian tour, Sobers says “I enjoyed touring India — it was my favourite country to visit.” He seemed more concerned at the lack of drinking outlets than the risk of further riots. The West Indian sides of the 19605, contends Sobers, were stronger than the teams led by Clive Lloyd and Viv Richards in the last decade. Sobers is utterly loyal to his old teammates —particularly Sir Frank Worrell, and his fast bowlers, Wes Hall and Charlie Griffith. Hall and Sobers are partners in the ownership of a racehorse. Believe it or not, Hall, an albatross of a man, a whirling dervish of a bowler, is also father of the jockey. Sobers; Twenty Years at the Top. By Sir Garfield Sobers and Brian Scovell. Published by MacftUllan. Indexed. 204 pp. s2sos.