BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – West Indies legend Sir Garfield Sobers joined the West Indies players at their camp at the 3Ws Oval yesterday.
The greatest all-rounder of all-time was invited by Windies Head Coach Ottis Gibson and he accepted the invitation to discuss the game with the players and also to monitor the net session in the Garfield Sobers Indoor Centre. Sir Garfield shared his ideas on the game and also urged the players to believe in themselves and always remain focused on the job. He also shared his thoughts on the changing face of the modern game and told the players they have his full backing as they prepare to face Pakistan in the upcoming Digicel Series.
Team Manager Richie Richardson said it was a thrill to have Sir Garfield at the camp and said all the players were delighted to have the opportunity to interact with him.
“It was tremendous to have a gentleman of the calibre of the great Sir Garfield Sobers to come and join us in our camp as we get ready for the Digicel Series. The head coach extended the invitation and Sir Garfield happily agreed to come and share some of his vast knowledge with our team,” said Richardson.
“His contribution really helped and the players were all happy to listen to him and absorb what he had to say. We have some of the game’s greatest cricketers of all-time here in the Caribbean and it is always great to have them sharing their knowledge with our present generation.”
Sir Garfield, 74, was a left-handed all-rounder, who represented the West Indies from 1954 to 1974. He played 93 Test matches and made 8 032 runs and took 235 wickets. His top score was then a world-record 365 not out.
The Digicel Series bowls off at the Beausejour Stadium in St Lucia on Thursday, April 21 with the Digicel T20 International.
Squad for Digicel T20 International: Darren Sammy (captain), Christopher Barnwell, Devendra Bishoo, Darren Bravo, Andre Fletcher, Danza Hyatt, Ashley Nurse, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Krishmar Santokie, Lendl Simmons
Squad for 1st and 2nd Digicel ODIs: Darren Sammy (captain), Dwayne Bravo (vice-captain), Devendra Bishoo, Darren Bravo, Kirk Edwards, Anthony Martin, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons, Devon Smith, Devon Thomas.
Digicel Series Schedule
April 18: Pakistan v Vice Chancellor’s XI (50 over) – Beausejour Cricket Ground
April 21: Digicel Twenty20 – Beausejour Cricket Ground
Digicel ODI Series
April 23: First Digicel ODI – Beausejour Cricket Ground
April 25: Second Digicel ODI – Beausejour Cricket Ground
April 28: Third Digicel ODI – Kensington Oval
May 2: Fourth Digicel ODI – Kensington Oval
May 5: Fifth Digicel ODI – Guyana National Stadium
May 8-9: Two-day practice match – Bourda Cricket Ground
Digicel Tests
May 12-16: First Digicel Test – Guyana National Stadium
May 20-24: Second Digicel Test – Warner Park