Alastair Lynas Grant (‘Algy’) Rice, who has died in England aged 86, 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.

Born in Birmingham, 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. He also scored 105no against St Paul’s when aged 17.

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 played twice in North v South games, the de facto final trial, but failed to impress.

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 at College Park 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 skilful captain in 1962, when he led his side to win the Leinster Senior Cup, then a play to a finish affair. He was one of only three men to play in all three of the finals in Trinity’s three-in-a-row team, alongside David Evans and Graham Guthrie.

He completed a rare club league and cup double of 200 runs and 20 wickets in 1961, his 31 wickets coming at 10.61. In Leinster competition his club record saw him play 37 matches, scoring 553 runs and taking 86 wickets with a best of 7-31.

After leaving University, Algy played nomadic cricket for over twenty years.