Trevor Goddard bowling during his epic career for South Africa.,,,
Much respected Springbok cricket captain Trevor Goddard was just 11 runs short of what would be his maiden test century when stumps were drawn on January 26th, 1965. South Africa were playing England and memories went back to a previous encounter with them at the Oval in 1960 when Goddard had been given out for 99 to a hotly disputed slip catch. So, all South Africa held its breath that its revered skipper would finally make it to his ‘ton’. Their wishes were fulfilled the next day as Goddard moved to 112 before being dismissed, completing his only century in 41 Tests, (13 as captain), from 1955–70.
A talented all-round cricketer, Goddard led the Springbok team at the start of their rise to world domination, before apartheid and politics intervened, causing South Africa’s exclusion from the world stage. Although he made 26 centuries in first-class cricket, it was puzzling why Goddard – a fine, orthodox, opening left-handed batsman – did not get more test centuries, particularly as he had 18 half-centuries.
Goddard was also a fine medium-pace bowler and a brilliant close-to-the wicket fielder. For the 1966–67 series against Australia, he emerged as the best bowler on either side as South Africa beat Australia for the first time, 3-1. He topped the bowling averages in that series with 26 wickets at 16.23 runs per wicket. His career record of 123 Test wickets at the rate of 1.64 runs per over made him the most economical bowler of all among those with 75 wickets or more.
Along with his cricket ability, Goddard made a distinct impression because of his calmness, decency and quiet authority as the leader and senior player. As legendary Australian batsman Sir Donald Bradman said: “His qualities of sincerity and integrity are part of his very being and of his play as well. I did not hear a single derogatory word spoken about him by anyone throughout the tour. He enriched the game.”
Goddard had always been a conventionally religious Presbyterian. But, after attending a mission in Durban at the behest of his wife, Jean, he became a born-again evangelical Christian.
In Caught in the Deep, Goddard’s memoir of his life after cricket, he wrote: “I had always tried to live by certain standards I presumed were acceptable to God.” But, facing the claims of the living Christ, he believed he had been self-righteous in this presumption. “I was looking towards God and seeing Him raise His finger. In God’s judgement I was undeniably out.”
Having come to a real experience of Christ, Goddard and his wife pursued a more intense, committed kind of Christian belief. He prayed for former teammates he had captained, and had the joy of seeing several of them – including the fearsome fast bowler Peter Pollock – come to Christ.
Goddard took up lay preaching and missionary work, eventually becoming a minister with Assemblies of God. He had an effective and much-sought-after ministry to youth, and over the next 18 years conducted over 35 missions in secondary schools, some with his friend, Peter Pollock. In a sports-mad country like South Africa, the sight of two cricketing legends testifying of their faith must have gained the attention of many a young person.
Goddard spent his last days on daughter Lindy’s farm in Fouriesburg, where he died in 2016, aged 85. Malcolm Hedding, the former director of International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, commented: “He certainly was the best all-rounder South Africa ever produced. He was an even better all-rounder for Jesus and we do thank God for his life and testimony. He is now finished batting and is in the great pavilion of God’s eternal care.”
