Ex- SA cricketer Clive Rice passes away

He was 66 when death came.

“Clive was our first captain and we knew him to be a great fighter all his life. Even during his last few years he put up a typically courageous and inspirational fight against the illness that had threatened him for a lengthy period of time,” commented CSA Chief Executive, Haroon Lorgat.

He said, “Clive will always be remembered for captaining the Proteas on our historic first tour to India in 1991 and, as one of the great all-rounders and captains of the game, it was fitting that he got the chance to play international cricket even though he was at an age when most players might have called time on their careers.”

After his retirement from the game Rice became the first director of CSA’s National Academy before he travelled overseas to become director of cricket for Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club

Sadly, his best playing days coincided almost identically with South Africa’s isolation from international cricket. He was selected for the cancelled tour to Australia in 1971-72 at the age of 22 and was 42 when he led his country to India on the ‘Friendship Tour”.

“On behalf of the CSA Family I extend our deepest condolences to his wife, his son and his daughter, all the rest of his family, his friends and his many cricketing colleagues around the world”, said Lorgat.
"It is with great sadness that the International Cricket Council (ICC) learned of the passing of a true great of the game, former South Africa all-rounder Clive Rice, after a long illness at the age of 66," the ICC said in a statement.

Over a first-class career spanning 25 years, Rice scored 26,331 runs in 482 matches, including a highest score of 246. A hugely respected fast-medium bowler, he claimed 930 wickets at an average of 22.49 in a career where he also represented Nottinghamshire, Transvaal, Natal and Scotland with distinction.

A destructive batsman and feared fast bowler, he was a key part of Transvaal’s famed ‘Mean Machine’ in the 1970’s and 80’s during which time he led Transvaal to three Currie Cup titles. It was there, and with Nottinghamshire, where he led them to the County Championship in 1981 and 1987, that he forged his reputation as a leading all-rounder.

Speaking on Tuesday, ICC Chief Executive and former South Africa international David Richardson commented: “Clive Rice was a giant of the game, not just in South Africa, but across the cricketing world. Though his international appearances for the Proteas were limited to just three ODIs, Clive was a hugely inspirational figure for those of us who had the privilege to represent our country since readmission to international cricket in 1991, and it was fitting that Clive was named as captain of the national team on that historic first tour to India.

“Clive was hugely regarded across the world game as a player, but later as a coach and mentor where he inspired the likes of Lance Klusener, Shaun Pollock and Jonty Rhodes, and he will be greatly missed by those who knew him. On behalf of the ICC I would like to extend our condolences to his wife Sue and children at this difficult time," he said.