Clive Rice led South Africa in their first ever ODI series © Getty Images
A minute of applause will take place before the start of the Ashes 2015 fourth Test at Trent Bridge in the memory of former Nottinghamshire Captain and South Africa captain Clive Rice. Rice, 66, sadly passed away last week and tributes have been pouring in since his sad demise, The Notts Outlaws wore black armbands during their recent Royal London One-Day Cup match against Sussex Sharks. The funeral will for the great cricketer will be held in Rice’s home country on Thursday. “In terms of where this club was when he first came here, there hasn’t been a more inspirational player for this club in the last however many years you want to go back,” said Nottinghamshire Director of Cricket Mick Newell. READ: Bangladesh vs South Africa, 2nd Test: Tourists to wear black armbands in memory of Clive Rice
“He wouldn’t ask you to do things he didn’t think you were capable of, and the fact he was asking you – and you knew what a fantastic cricketer he was – it gave you that self belief to be part of a successful and winning team,” said Newell.
“The Club should be enormously grateful to him for what he did and he left a legacy of trophies behind him which is fantastic. He had that inspirational leadership. He would lead the team from the front with his performances, but he also made you believe that you were a better player than you probably were,” he added. READ: Clive Rice: The most experienced First-Class and List A cricketer from South Africa
“He wouldn’t ask you to do things he didn’t think you were capable of, and the fact he was asking you – and you knew what a fantastic cricketer he was – it gave you that self belief to be part of a successful and winning team,” said Newell.
“He was a very courageous man; one of the toughest men I have ever met. I’m in awe of the guy really. It’s come as quite a shock and I’m incredibly sad for him, for his wife and for his family,” added former Nottinghamshire batsman Darren Bicknell. READ: Clive Rice: 15 facts about the champion