In a way former South African legendary crick eter and captain Clive Rice and Sachin Tendulkar are unique -they both have been role models for the next generation of cricketers in their respective countries and they have also played alongside them. When Rice made his first-class debut for Transvaal in 1969, South Africa were isolated from international cricket.
Twenty-two years later, with more than 25,000 first-class runs under his belt to go with 900 odd wickets, Rice led the South African team into the international scene, aged 42, to the tour of India in 1991. The threematch ODI series happened to be his first and last because of his age. And what did he stumble across in his debut match? A teenager named Sachin Tendulkar. Rice spoke to Deccan Chronicle on what he feels about the most celebrated batsman of the era.
EXCERPTS: On Sachin's retirement: Every player knows when to call it quits in their career.Personally, I would love to see him bat for another 50 years. But I'm happy he has decided to move to the next phase of his life post-cricket. Sachin's success can be attributed to his quick learning capacity . Every batsman matures at the age of 30-32 but he was a genius at a young age, which is the reason for his prolonged success at the international arena.
When you first saw Sachin in 1991 at Kolkata did you think he would go on to make hundred tons?
My first thought when he came to bat was 'here is a kid who we could just knock over easily with our pace battery'. However he scored a fifty and won the game. At that time I realised that he had the big match temperament. Nothing would deter him. He carved a name for himself soon in the world stage. And here he is today with almost all records to his name.
What would be his legacy?
Like all great players of the past he would be remem bered forever for the way he had entertained everyone with his scintillating stroke play. He would be the role model for almost every cricketer in the next ten years and people would crave to be a Sachin one day which is his legacy.
Which cricketer of your era would you compare to Sachin and why?
Graeme Pollock, Barry Richards and Greg Chappell. The reason being we knew if these guys go out to bat they would win the match. Sachin has done that for his side.
Any memorable moment you had with Sachin: When I was the coach of Nottinghamshire, I wanted Sachin to play for our team. I knew he was a match winner. When I asked Sachin about it he said that he would play. However, I soon moved out of Nottinghamshire. My dream was to have him play in my side and it didn't materialise.
Who do you think could eclipse Sachin's feat?
His records would never be broken. It is because the modern day cricketers have too much on their plate. They play IPL, Big Bash league and all the other T20 leagues. They are bound to get fitness related issues. Their availability in itself at times becomes a question mark for Tests and ODIs.
Jacques Kallis/Sachin -who would you want in your side if you were to pick only one?
Kallis is an all-rounder and Sachin is a batsman. So I want both of them in my side and to accommodate both I would drop someone else! I say this just because they both read the game to perfection. Now-a days I see many crick eters not being able to assess the situation properly.
