Today, it is not possible, players are strictly monitored. There are many types of restrictions on their fooding. But thirty years ago it was not so. That period was of Gary Sobers. Even today, if we are asked to take the name of all-time great all-rounders, then surely Gary Sobers will be named. He never liked restrictions. At nights, he was either in the nightclubs or with female friends, it happened numerous times that he enjoyed liquor till late and night, and the next morning reached the ground in hangover and then came back scoring a century.
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Sobers is now 81 years old, and presently residing in Barbados. He is a great living icon of his country and is completely fit, and he has got his own methods to live life. Sober’s was blessed with natural talent and so he always felt that if he has tremendous talent, he should not only be treated differently from other general members of his team, but also be given special treatment. That’s why Sobers was not on good terms
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with the captains of the West Indies. Team members were forbidden to leave the hotel late in the night, but Sobers routinely broke this rule.
Night club enthusiasts
Sobers was nightclub enthusiasts and used to be there till late in the night, in the company of liquor and beauty. It was well known in the cricket circles that Sobers were also very fond of Night Cricket.Here Night cricket does not mean cricket that is played in the night nowadays, but it refers to beauty and wine and there are many incidents regarding this. Some of these are described by Sobers himself in his autobiography.
Sobers’ Philosophy
It was year 1973. There was a Test match between the West Indies and England in the Lord’s. Sobers was not in the hotel one night, as the game ended he went to a nightclub. His principle was that life was for full enjoyment. So live it with full pleasure. After that night, he returned to the hotel in the morning, and straight away went to bed.
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He was woken up early in the morning. Next day the same thing happened, from the ground he directly went to the bar. Drank liquor all night So much so that friends left him on the field. The match had started. His team was batting. Kanhai was on 157 runs. England’s fast bowler Bob Willis beat him several times. When Kanhai got out, Sobers was sent for batting.
Century in hangover
Sobers was not feeling well as he was in a hangover condition. He was not able to judge the ball correctly. He was also going through stomach pain but he went on playing and reached the century. The pain had become intolerable and he had to return back to the dressing room. Captain Kanhai ordered a brandy in the dressing room and immediately after drinking it he got releived from pain. After some drinks, Sobers was ready again. Reverted to the crease again and as he got out on 150 runs, Kanhai declared the West Indies innings at 652 for eight wickets. The England team could score 233 and 193 runs in both innings. The West Indies won the Test by an innings and 226 runs.