Brief profile of Algy Rice by Edward Liddle

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Player:

ALG Rice

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DateLine: 30th July 2008

 

Algy Rice was a fine all round cricketer. Tall strong and dark haired, he was a tireless fast medium bowler, who, operating for long spells, had the ability to move the ball both ways in the air and off the wicket. His best bowling performance came in his schooldays when he took 9/11 for Felstead against the XL Club. The eleventh man, Tom Pearce, arrived late by arrangement, and found his side all out. At Dublin University, which he entered after National Service in the Royal Marines, he became one of the outstanding bowlers in Leinster cricket, gaining selection for the Interprovincial side in the pre Guinness Cup days. He was also a good middle order batsman, being particularly effective in two day matches against sides raised by such luminaries as JC Boucher and JS Pollock. One of his best knocks was a brilliant 76 against Boucher's XI on the famous College Park ground in 1962, when his cover driving of a near full Irish attack was a delight to see. In the XI for four years from 1960, he was a skilfulcaptain in 1962, when hel ed his side to win the Leinster Senior Cup, then a play to a finish affair. After leaving University, he played nomadic cricket for over twenty years.