New Delhi: Gary Sobers is regarded by cricket experts as the greatest all-rounder who has ever played the sport. He is also considered by many as even the greatest cricketer ahead of Don Bradman. The great West Indian all-rounder turned 81 on Friday. Here are some unique facts about the man his teammates fondly called Soby.


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-Sobers was born with six fingers in each of his hands. While he lost the extra finger on one hand because of a minor accident as a young boy, the extra finger in the other hand was gone after it was cut when he was a teenager!


-Sobers was not just a run machine but was also a batsman with daringness to thrash apart the best of attacks. He became the first man ever to smash six sixes in a domestic match. It happened in 1968 when Sobers captained Nottinghamshire against Glamorgan.


- Sobers found love in India and got engaged to veteran Indian actress Anju Mahendru. The engagement was later called off and the West Indian married an Australian girl.


-Sobers was unique as a bowler. He was the true all-rounder as apart from being a great batsman, he was the complete bowler who bowled seam ups, orthodox spin and chinaman at the top level. He of course used to operate as a left hander with both bat and ball.


-He had a tough upbringing. He was one of six siblings in the family. He also lost his father in a ship accident when he was just five years old.