Sir Garfield Sobers, the legendary West Indies cricketer who died in his native Barbados on Friday, had a strong personal relationship with Jamaica that started in the late 1950s. He was a budding star then, and his mentor was Collie Smith, the Jamaican all-rounder.

Sobers, who was 89, scored five of his 26 Test centuries at Sabina Park in Kingston. His maiden ton was an epic 365 against Pakistan at that ground in February 1958. That was the highest Test score until Brian Lara broke it with an unbeaten 375 against England in Antigua in April 1994.

One year after the match against Pakistan — which the West Indies won by an innings and 174 runs — Smith, who made his Test debut in 1955, died from injuries sustained in an auto crash in England. Sobers was driver of the car which also had fellow Jamaica and West Indies fastbowler Tom Dewdney as a passenger.

Lyndel “Muddy” Wright, Smith’s brother, remembers Sobers’ everlasting bond with the all-rounder known as ‘The Mighty Mouse’.
“Whenever Garry came to Jamaica, he said he batted for Collie. They had a tremendous relationship, Collie was like a brother who gave him guidance,” Wright told Observer Online.

The Boys’ Town all-rounder scored 1,331 runs in 26 Tests (average 31.69) including two centuries. Bowling offspin, Smith took 48 wickets at 33.85.

Wright said Sobers was never overwhelmed by guilt about the tragedy that killed his older sibling at age 26.

“For him (Sobers), it was a matter of sorrow at the passing of his friend. Garry was always speaking about Collie,” Wright stated.

Five months after Smith’s death, Wisden magazine (the authority on cricket) honoured him during the West Indies versus England match at Sabina Park. The February 1960 ceremony was attended by Carmen Gordon, Smith’s mother.

Sobers made 147 in that match, which was drawn.

Sir Garfield Sobers played 93 Test matches, scoring 8,032 runs at an average of 57.78. Bowling left-arm spin or swing, he captured 235 wickets at 34.03.