Jonty Rhodes

Jonty Rhodes Biography

There have been greater fielders, but Jonty Rhodes was the first to make fielding fashionable. He became the poster boy of the 1992 World Cup when he sprinted in to run out Inzamam-ul-Haq in a spectacular fashion. The airborne photograph of Rhodes taking a catch became the lingering image of the tournament.

There was also the catch of Robert Croft from the 1999 edition: the ball was hit hard, well over Rhodes’ head. Rhodes leapt up in the air, slapped the ball vertically upwards, did a full hundred-and-eighty-degree turn while still in mid-air, and held the ball before it fell on the ground.

Rhodes used to be a terror at backward-point. Not only did batsmen hesitate to leave the crease if the ball went anywhere in his vicinity, they were actually scared to play the cut: they knew that if there was even a quarter-chance, it might be converted into a catch. Not only that, he was chirpy, pushing his teammates, thus playing a role designated typically to wicketkeepers.

Rhodes inspired an entire generation of boys to fling themselves on the ground. No longer did they feel left out of the sport when it was not their turn to bat or bowl. He made fielding cool. And against West Indies in Hero Cup 1993 he became the first non-wicketkeeper to take five catches in an ODI.

On his Test debut he hit the stumps to run out Sachin Tendulkar, creating history in the process: the decision was the first in international cricket to be given by a third umpire.

His hockey background probably came to his aid. He almost played the Olympics: he was a part of the squad for Barcelona 1992. Unfortunately, South Africa did not qualify. When they did qualify for 1996 at Atlanta, Rhodes had to opt out due to a sore hamstring.

With bat his adaptability and improvisational skills made him annoying to the bowlers. He was busy and fidgety, never hesitated to play unconventional strokes, and ran at breakneck pace between wickets. He rarely played big innings, but delivered with cameos, often when South Africa were under pressure. He scored almost 8,500 international runs at an average of 35.

He scored 117 at the Lord’s Test of 1998, but his most famous innings came later on the same tour, at Headingley. Up against 217, South Africa were reduced to 27 for 5; they lost by 23 runs, but not before Rhodes took on the pace quartet with an outrageous 85.

After retirement he worked as an Account Executive for Standard Bank. He played a significant role in bank becoming sponsor of South Africa cricket. He was appointed fielding coach of Pakistan and South Africa, mentored Kenya, coached Namibia, and is currently fielding coach of Mumbai Indians.

Off the field he remains a pious man. He led the masses for the South African team. His first wife Kate was the niece of Test cricketer Cuan McCarthy.

Of his children, Daniella was named the most outstanding junior player by uMgungundlovu Schools Hockey Association in 2015.

Abhishek Mukherjee

Jonty Rhodes Batting & Fielding Averages

Career	M	In	R	NO	HS	Avg	BF	SR	100s	50s	4s	6s	Ct	St
Test	52	80	2532	9	117	35.66	5536	45.73	3	17	256	22	34	0
ODIs	245	220	5935	51	121	35.11	7335	80.91	2	33	392	47	105	0
T20s	0	--	--	--		--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--
World Cup	24	20	354	3	43*	20.82	402	88.05	0	0	22	4	7	0

Jonty Rhodes Bowling Averages

Career	M	B	R	W	Avg	EC	SR	5WI	10WM	BBI	BBM
Test	52	12	5	0	--	2.500	--	0	0	0/0	0/0
ODIs	245	14	4	0	--	1.714	--	0	0	0/0	0/0
T20s	0	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--
World Cup	24	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--		0/0

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