Stuff Digital Edition

Sobers stumped over island cutting ties with the Queen

Sir Gary Sobers, the Barbadian national hero and cricket’s greatest ever all-rounder, has lamented his country’s decision to cut ties with the Queen, telling

The Telegraph: ‘‘It will be very sad for a lot of us.’’

The Caribbean nation this week ceased to be a constitutional monarchy after nearly 400 years, by replacing Her Majesty as head of state.

For the man who is perhaps more revered than any other on the island, it is a moment of history tinged more with melancholy than excitement.

Sobers is widely regarded as one of the most complete cricketers to ever play the game, whose historic feats included becoming the first man to hit six sixes in an over, while playing for Nottinghamshire in 1968.

He is 85 now and still living in Bridgetown, but it is clear there are few occasions that stir greater pride in the self-described ‘‘humble man from Barbados’’ than his meetings with the Queen.

Reflecting at his family home on the end of an era for his country, the cricketing great said: ‘‘The Queen was very highly appreciated here. It will be very sad for a lot of us. It was a bit of a shock.’’

World

en-nz

2021-12-01T08:00:00.0000000Z

2021-12-01T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://stuff.pressreader.com/article/281822877076317

Stuff Limited