Former South Africa captain Clive Rice dies aged 66

Clive Rice played only 3 ODIs

Former South African Captain Clive Rice has passed away at the age of 66 at Cape Town in a hospital, reports ESPNcricinfo. He was suffering from brain tumour for which he took treatment from Bangalore recently in March.

He was regarded as one of the greatest cricketers to have never played Test Cricket. Due to apartheid, he represented South Africa on only 3 occasions in ODI Cricket and led the side in India in 1991. But soon after, he was dropped at the age of 42 before the 1992 World Cup.

He had a successful career in English County Cricket as he represented Nottinghamshire from 1975. He captained the side from 1979 to 1987 winning the county championship twice (in 1981 and 1987).

In a first-class career spanning 482 matches, Rice scored 26,331 runs at an average of 40.95. He also picked up 930 wickets at an average of 22.49. In one-day cricket, he scored 13,474 runs and picked up 517 wickets in 479 games.

"Clive was a fighter like you can't believe and he proved that on the cricket field and he's proved it over the past few months," Procter told sport24. "He's just got a heart the size of Africa. He's a remarkable man. When he made up his mind to do things he did them. Everyone knew where they were going with him ... a fighter of note and a true, true gentleman. He was always upbeat, there was never any negativity. I remember saying to him when he collapsed ... I asked him how he was and he said 'fine'. I reminded him that he was talking to me and that he could be honest ... he would not be negative at all ... and he was really battling. You had to extract it out of him. He was an incredibly positive guy."

"People forget that he would have been one of the top all-rounders in international cricket. Bowling was easier for him than batting. His batting when he started, he really struggled, he wasn't a natural with the bat. He had to work really hard. He was such an inspirational guy. He never really showed too many emotions either way, he just got on with business. But he was great competitor," sport24 reported him as saying.

Clive Rice, who is regarded as one of the greatest cricketers to never play Tests, has passed away at the age of 66. pic.twitter.com/SEYi1sMUKb

— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) July 28, 2015

Sad to hear that Clive Rice has passed away ...terrific all rounder ...great competitor ...and a real good bloke

— David 'Bumble' Lloyd (@BumbleCricket) July 28, 2015