{{Short description|Rhodesian cricketer (1932–2025)}} {{Use British English|date=January 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2026}} {{Infobox cricketer | name = Godfrey Lawrence | image = | caption = | fullname = Godfrey Bernard Lawrence | nickname = Goofy | birth_date = {{Birth date|1932|3|31|df=yes}} | birth_place = Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia | death_date = {{Death date and age|2025|3|12|1932|3|31|df=yes}} | death_place = Brisbane, Queensland, Australia | batting = Right-handed | bowling = Right-arm fast-medium | club1 = Rhodesia | year1 = {{nowrap|1952/53–1965/66}} | club2 = Natal B | year2 = 1966/67 | columns = 2 | column1 = Test | matches1 = 5 | runs1 = 141 | bat avg1 = 17.62 | 100s/50s1 = 0/0 | top score1 = 43 | deliveries1 = 1,334 | wickets1 = 28 | bowl avg1 = 18.28 | fivefor1 = 2 | tenfor1 = 0 | best bowling1 = 8/53 | catches/stumpings1= 2/– | column2 = First-class | matches2 = 77 | runs2 = 1,079 | bat avg2 = 12.69 | 100s/50s2 = 0/1 | top score2 = 60* | deliveries2 = 18,244 | wickets2 = 342 | bowl avg2 = 17.97 | fivefor2 = 15 | tenfor2 = 1 | best bowling2 = 8/42 | catches/stumpings2= 54/– | international = true | country = South Africa | testdebutagainst = New Zealand | testdebutdate = 8 December | testdebutyear = 1961 | lasttestdate = 16 February | lasttestagainst = New Zealand | lasttestyear = 1962 | source = http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/45967.html Cricinfo | date = 3 December | year = 2020 }}
'''Godfrey Bernard '''"'''Goofy'''"''' Lawrence''' (31 March 1932 – 12 March 2025) was a Rhodesian cricketer who played in five Test matches for South Africa in the 1961–62 season.<ref name=CI/>
A tall right-arm fast-medium bowler from Rhodesia, Lawrence was part of a new-look South African team for the series against New Zealand in 1961–62. Despite his success in the series and continued good form in the Currie Cup until the end of the 1965–66 season, he played no further Tests.<ref name=CI>{{cite web |title=Goofy Lawrence |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/goofy-lawrence-45967 |publisher=Cricinfo |access-date=2 April 2025}}</ref>
He took 8 for 53 in the Second Test in 1961–62.<ref>[https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/25/25276.html South Africa v New Zealand, Johannesburg 1961–62]</ref> His best first-class bowling figures were 8 for 42 (after taking 3 for 56 and making 32 not out at number 10 in the first innings) for Rhodesia against Western Province in 1965–66.<ref>[https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/27/27886.html Western Province v Rhodesia 1965–66]</ref> He played for Rhodesia from 1952–53 to 1965–66, then two matches for Natal B in 1966–67.
Lawrence later moved to Australia. His son Stephen was a leading Australian rules footballer in the 1990s.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.aflq.com.au/index.php?id=275| title = Stephen Lawrence| publisher = AFL Queensland| accessdate = 27 July 2010}}</ref>
Lawrence died in Brisbane on 12 March 2025, at the age of 92.<ref>{{cite web |title=Godfrey Lawrence |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/1/1171/1171.html |publisher=CricketArchive |access-date=2 April 2025}}</ref> Before his death he was the oldest living South African Test cricketer.<ref>{{cite web |title=The 11 oldest living players in Test cricket |url=https://www.cricket365.com/test-cricket/oldest-living-players-in-test-cricket |website=Cricket365 |access-date=2 April 2025}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{cricinfo|id=45967}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lawrence, Godfrey}} Category:1932 births Category:2025 deaths Category:Cricketers from Harare Category:South Africa Test cricketers Category:South African cricketers Category:Rhodesia cricketers Category:20th-century South African sportsmen Category:Zimbabwean emigrants to Australia