Page "Garfield Sobers" Paragraph 27

While he was engaged at Radcliffe, Sobers underwent emotional trauma after a road accident in September 1959 on the A34 near Stoke-on-Trent which resulted in Collie Smith's death.

Sobers was driving a car in which Smith and another West Indian Test player Tom Dewdney were passengers.

Smith's back was broken by the collision and he died three days later.

Sobers could not recall much about the crash and was fined 10 pounds for driving without due care and attention.

He " began drinking more " and there were concerns, expressed by himself and others, that the experience might affect his cricket career.

He got over the trauma by deciding that he would be letting his country down if he " disappeared into the mists of an alcoholic haze " and he resolved to play not just for Garfield Sobers but for Collie Smith as well, thus setting himself the task of playing for two men.

He recovered well and, after an outstanding home Test series against England in 1959 – 60, he returned to Radcliffe where he continued as club professional for the next three seasons.