Clive Halse

Wisden Cricketers' Almanack obituary

HALSE, CLIVE GRAY, who died on May 28, 2002, aged 67, played for Natal shortly after leaving school, before he had turned 18. He made his debut on New Year's Day in 1953, but did not become a regular until 1960-61, by which time his fast-medium swing bowling had matured. Two seasons later, he helped Natal retain the Currie Cup and, as selection for South Africa's 1963-64 tour of Australia loomed, an enthusiastic employer allowed Halse to leave an hour early every day to practise. He duly made the trip. Though his tour figures were unspectacular, he did play in three of the Tests, managing three wickets in the South African win at Adelaide. Halse had one more season before retiring, during which he took his career-best five for 49 against Transvaal.