South African legend Trevor Goddard passes away

Former South African player Trevor Goddard recently passed away at the age of 85. Cricket South Africa (CSA) made an official announcement about the same. He died on November 25 night, Friday. Goddard is renowned as one of the best all-rounders the South African cricket has ever witnessed. He played for South Africa in the pre-apartheid era.

He was one of the pillar stones of South African team from 1955 to 1970. He was a left handed opening batsman and an equally capable left arm medium pacer. He played 41 Test matches for the national side during his 15 year long career. He amassed 2516 runs and had one century under his belt. He also scalped 123 wickets with his medium pace bowling.

With a 6-wicket haul to his name, he showed that he could make the ball talk. His best figures of 6/53 were against Australia in 1966-67 during the first Test. The match is a historic one for South African cricket. Trevor Goddard and his heroics saw South Africa win their first ever home Test.

Trevor Goddard was also handed the captaincy duties during South Africa’s tour to Australia in 1963-64. The Proteas drew the series level 1-1. He led the national side in 13 Test matches. Goddard had showed his intentions of retiring after the 4-match series against Australia in 1970. However, he was dropped from the last Test, which would have been his final Test. The CSA statement called it as, “in a decision that paid scant regard to the wonderful service he had given both as captain and player.”

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“Trevor was a humble man who served the game with great distinction both on and off the field,” said Haroon Lorgat, CSA’s chief executive. “On behalf of the CSA family I extend our deepest condolences to his family, his friends and his cricketing colleagues.”

Goddard played for Natal and North Eastern Transvaal in First Class cricket. He had 11289 runs to his name and picked up 534 wickets in 179 matches.