Former South Africa captain Rice dies aged 66
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club have confirmed the death of former South Africa captain Clive Rice.
Former South Africa captain Clive Rice has died at the age of 66.
Rice had been suffering from a brain tumour and his passing was confirmed on Tuesday by Nottinghamshire, the county he captained in the 1970s and 1980s.
Widely recognised as one of the finest all-rounders to have played the game, Rice only played in three official international matches, due to his career coinciding with South Africa's isolation from sport during apartheid.
He did feature in a number of unofficial Tests and captained South Africa on their return to the international arena in 1991, but was controversially overlooked for the following year's Cricket World Cup.
In first-class cricket, Rice amassed over 26,000 runs at an average of 41, together with 930 wickets at 22. He also helped Nottinghamshire to County Championship titles in 1981 and 1987.
A Twitter post from Cricket South Africa read: "Our deepest sympathies & condolences go out to the Rice family as well as friends & fans of Clive. #RIPCliveRice"
The International Cricket Council subsequently released a statement expressing its "great sadness" at Rice's death.
ICC chief executive David Richardson, another member of the South Africa team when they returned to international cricket, said: "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. When South Africa was readmitted to international cricket in 1991, it was fitting that Clive was named as captain.
"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."