A CRICKETING superstar made an inspiring visit to a Colchester school.

Students, staff and parents at Colchester Royal Grammar School were honoured to receive a visit from West Indian Sir Garfield Sobers.

Sir Garfield, also known as Sir Garry, scored more than 8,000 Test runs, took 235 Test wickets and set a world record with his remarkable innings of 365 not out against Pakistan in 1958.

Sir Garry, 79, is currently promoting a schools tournament that he hosts in Barbados, in which a number of modern greats such as Alastair Cook and Brian Lara took part in their younger days.

Speaking to a packed school theatre, Sir Garry spoke about the tournament and expanded on the current state of West Indies cricket and the way in which modern players are all too easily distracted by financial rewards.

Asked about his own attitude to fame and fortune, he talked of his own humble upbringing and his motivation as a cricketer.

He said: "I didn’t play to be famous.

"I played for a team. I don’t think I’ve ever made a run for me. I just wanted to play well enough to stay in the team."

Sir Garry was born in Barbados and was the fifth of six children.

He was only five when his father died in January 1942, after his ship was torpedoed by a German U-boat.

Student Dan Townsend said afterwards: "It was testament to this attitude, and the generosity he showed with his time, that he received one of the heartiest rounds of applause that I have ever heard from an audience privileged to be in his presence."

Colchester Royal Grammar School is shortly to host its own cricket tournament.

Five other Royal Grammar Schools in the country will come to take part in a five -day festival of cricket.

Deputy Head Tim Chambers added: "It was an absolute honour to welcome Sir Garry to CRGS and the perfect way to raise interest in the RGS Festival next week."

The visit took place last Wednesday at short notice and came about via a contact at Essex County Cricket Club.