Barbados Bids Sir Garry A Final Farewell

A full state funeral for the late 'National Hero' and cricket legend Sir Garfield Sobers will take place today, Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at 10:00 AM (local time) at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados.

The Barbadian contingent of the West Indies squad, including Test captain Roston Chase and white-ball skipper Shai Hope, has returned from Trinidad to attend the service. Their return follows a 90-run win over Pakistan in the first Test on Tuesday, which was dedicated to the late icon on what would have been his 90th birthday.

Defending 210 in the fourth innings, the Windies pace battery dismissed the Babar Azam-led visitors for 120 runs in 40.2 overs, with Jayden Seales taking five wickets for 20 runs. Earlier in the match, Justin Greaves created Test history by claiming five wickets across five successive maiden overs in the second innings.

The West Indies players wore black armbands for the entire duration of the Test, and a period of silence was observed before the start of play.

Sir Garry passed away on July 17, 2026, at the age of 89.

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"The opportunity for our Barbadian representatives to be present at the state funeral of The Right Excellent Sir Garfield Sobers is a deeply meaningful one for West Indies cricket," a statement from Cricket West Indies president Kishore Shallow said.

"On a day when the cricketing world celebrated his extraordinary life, the team honoured his enduring legacy with a performance that reflected the courage, resilience and skill that defined his remarkable career, and inspired generations."

Alongside these stars, key figures including Jomel Warrican, Justin Greaves, Kemar Roach, and coach Floyd Reifer will join dignitaries to pay respects to the man widely considered the greatest all-rounder in cricket history.

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley will also attend the state funeral.

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"We are deeply grateful to Prime Minister Mia Mottley and her government for making this possible, and reaffirm our commitment to preserving the memory of a true icon whose name will forever be synonymous with the greatness of West Indies cricket," the statement added.

Throughout his stellar career, spanning from 1954 to 1974, he became the embodiment of West Indies cricket. He played 93 Tests and scored 8,032 runs at an average of 57.78. Renowned for his 365 not out in 1958 and for hitting six sixes in a single over in 1968, the 1975 Knight redefined the sport.

The Thanksgiving Service at the Kensington Oval -- the "Mecca" of Caribbean cricket -- follows a two-day lying-in-state. Local cricketers will wear club uniforms to honour the legend, who will be laid to rest in the Icon Section of the Coral Ridge Memorial Gardens.

Sir Sobers' first Test captain, Sir Frank Worrell, who died at the age of 42 in 1967, was the first person to be granted a state funeral by an independent Barbados.