Confirming his death on Friday, Cricket West Indies paid tribute to the legendary cricketer in a social media post.

"A great innings has come to an end. In our hearts, now and forever, Sir Garfield Sobers," the board said.

Sobers is considered one of cricket s greatest-ever players, with many ranking him alongside Australian batting icon Sir Donald Bradman as the finest cricketers of the 20th century.

In Wisden s 1999 poll of 100 cricket experts to select the Five Cricketers of the 20th Century, Bradman received all 100 votes, while Sobers earned 90.

Before his death in 2001, Bradman himself described Sobers as "the greatest cricketer of all time."

Sir Garfield Sobers enjoyed a remarkable international career, scoring 8,032 runs in 93 Test matches at an average of 57.78, including 26 centuries.

Equally effective with the ball, the left-arm all-rounder claimed 235 Test wickets at an average of 34.03, switching effortlessly between fast bowling, orthodox spin and wrist spin depending on conditions.

He was also an exceptional fielder, taking 109 catches in Test cricket.

Former Australia all-rounder Alan Davidson once described Sobers as "a complete cricketer."

"He could do just about anything on a cricket field except umpire," Davidson said.

Born Garfield St Aubrun Sobers in Bridgetown, Barbados, on July 28, 1936, he lost his father during the Second World War when his ship was sunk by a German submarine.

Sobers displayed outstanding sporting talent from a young age and made his first-class debut for Barbados at just 16 before earning his Test debut against England in 1954.

His breakthrough as a batter came in 1958 when he scored an unbeaten 365 against Pakistan in Kingston, then the highest individual score in Test cricket.

The record stood until fellow West Indian Brian Lara surpassed it with 375 against England in 1994.

Sobers also played a leading role in the famous tied Test against Australia in Brisbane during the 1960-61 series, producing a memorable innings of 132.

He captained the West Indies from 1964 to 1972, guiding the Caribbean side to its first-ever Test series victory over Australia.

Although results varied during his tenure, the West Indies continued to develop into the dominant force that ruled world cricket during the late 1970s and 1980s.

Beyond international cricket, Sobers represented South Australia in Australia and Nottinghamshire in England s County Championship.

In 1968, he became the first cricketer to hit six sixes in a single over in first-class cricket when he achieved the feat against Glamorgan bowler Malcolm Nash.

He retired from Test cricket in 1974 and was knighted the following year for his services to the sport.

In 2004, the International Cricket Council named its annual Cricketer of the Year award the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy in his honour, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest players the game has ever produced.