Tributes flow in for ‘heroic’ Notts legend Rice

He had been battling a brain tumour and passed away in a Cape Town hospital yesterday.

Rice was a hugely respected captain and player, notably for Nottinghamshire and Transvaal, but saw his full international ambitions thwarted for 20 years by South Africa’s sporting exile during the apartheid era.

Eventually, at the age of 42, he captained his country in three one-day internationals against India after readmission – the so-called ‘Friendship Tour’ marking the start and the end of his South Africa career.

He remains a revered figure at Trent Bridge, where he formed a famous partnership with Sir Richard Hadlee, and led the team to its first County Championship in 52 years in 1981 before adding a second title in 1987.

Rice, who ended his first-class career with Natal in 1994, returned to Nottinghamshire as cricket manager and encouraged a young Kevin Pietersen, who had grown frustrated at the South African quota system, to join Nottinghamshire – effectively paving the way for the player’s storied England career.

Pietersen was critical of many former colleagues in his autobiography but described Rice as “a great early influence on me” in the book and Tweeted: “#RIP Chief! We will miss you Ricy!”.

The Proteas will wear black armbands when they take on Bangladesh during tomorrow’s Second Test in Dhaka and Cricket South Africa flew its flag at half-mast in Johannesburg as a mark of respect.

CSA chief executive Haroon Lorgat said: “Clive was our first captain and we knew him to be a great fighter all his life.

“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.”

Dave Richardson, chief executive of the International Cricket Council and a former South Africa international, said: “Clive Rice was a giant of the game, not just in South Africa, but across the cricketing world.”

Nottinghamshire’s statement, read: “He was one of the shining lights in our side in the late 1970s and 1980s, helping the county secure the County Championship title in both 1981 and 1987.”