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Jonathan Neil Rhodes (born 27 July 1969 in Pietermaritzberg, Natal, South Africa), better known as 'Jonty Rhodes', was a South African cricketer, who was especially noted for his feats whilst fielding. A right handed batsman, he represented the South African national side in both the Test match and one-day international forms of the game. During his career he also played first-class cricket for Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, KwaZulu-Natal and Natal. He usually fielded at cover or point. (see Fielding positions) He is not only noted as a fantastic fielder, one of the best fielders in cricketing history, but also as a quick runner between the wickets and a batsman who likes to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
South African cricket team
Test career
Jonty Rhodes made his Test debut against India in the 1st Test at his home ground in Kingsmead, Durban on 13 November, 1992 in the 1992/93 season. On his debut Test match he scored 41 in the first innings before being dismissed caught by Mohammad Azharuddin off the bowling of Anil Kumble. In the second innings he finished unbeaten at the end of the fifth day on 26.
Jonty Rhodes announced his retirement from Test match cricket in 2001 in order to allow him to continue playing till the next cricket World Cup in 2003 in South Africa, his home country. His last ever Test match was on 6 August, 2000 at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo against Sri Lanka. In South Africa's first innings, Rhodes was bowled by Muttiah Muralitharan for a disappointing 21 runs. In South Africa's second innings, Rhodes was again dismissed by Muttiah Muralitharan but this time he was caught by Mahela Jayawardene for 54 runs. Sri Lanka went on to win the match comfortably by 6 wickets, with Jonty Rhodes taking the catch of Kumar Sangakkara for six in Sri Lanka's second innings.
ODI career
Jonty Rhodes made his One Day International (ODI) debut against Australia in South Africa's opening match of the 1992 Benson & Hedges World Cup at the Sydney Cricket Ground on the 26 February 1992. Australia batted first and in their innings Jonty dismissed Australia's Craig McDermott for six by effecting the dismissal in the form of a run out. In South Africa's innings they were chasing a total of 171 with a revised maximum amount of overs of 49. South Africa won the match by 9 wickets, and Jonty did not play any part in helping is team chase down the modest target due to him batting down the order.
South Africa's fifth game of the World Cup was against Pakistan on the 8 March, 1992 at the Brisbane Cricket Ground, hence it was Jonty Rhodes' fifth ever ODI game. This match would change his career forever. South Africa lost the toss and were sent in to bat by Pakistan. South Africa made a decent total of 211 off 50 overs, with Jonty Rhodes being dismissed lbw off the bowling of Iqbal Sikander for 5 off 17 balls. Pakistan where cruising along at 2 wickets down for 74 runs in the 22nd over, when rain interrupted play. Inzamam-Ul-Haq and Pakistan captain Imran Khan where the not out batsman when rain halted play. The target of 212 runs was revised to 194 runs off 36 overs. When Pakistan where at a score of 2 wickets for 135 runs, the game seemed to be in Pakistan's hands, but when Inzamam Ul-Haq, who was at the time on 48 not out, hesitated when running, Jonty Rhodes effected what is now a world famous run out. Jonty Rhodes had dismissed one of the key men in Inzamam Ul-Haq, and that run out brought about a collapse in the Pakistan innings. Jonty also dismissed another one of Pakistan's key men, Ijaz Ahmed by catching him for six. After 36 overs, Pakistan finished well short of their total, slumping to 8 wickets for 173 runs. Pakistan seemed to be cruising to victory when Jonty Rhodes turned the match in South Africa's favour by dismissing Inzamam Ul-Haq. This elevated Jonty Rhodes to stardom in the cricketing world.
On 14 November, 1993 Jonty Rhodes took a world record for most dismissals by a fielder other than a wicketkeeper against the West Indies at Brabourne Stadium, Bombay. He took a total of five catches, dismissing Brian Lara, Desmond Haynes, Phil Simmons, Jimmy Adams and Anderson Cummins. Three out of the five catches were spectacular, diving either forward towards the ball or to either side.
Before the 2003 Cricket World Cup in South Africa, Jonty Rhodes announced that he planned to retire from One-Day International cricket for good after the World Cup was over. Jonty was also named as the patron of World Cup volunteers. ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 Executive Director Dr. Ali Bacher stated that "The unanimous choice was Jonty Rhodes." Jonty played in the opening match of the 2003 World Cup on the 9 February against the West Indies, but he disappointed the crowd by being bowled by Carl Hooper for two runs.
The second match of South Africa's World Cup campaign was to be Jonty's last for his country. On 12 February, Jonty Rhodes' World Cup campaign came to a premature end in the match against Kenya. Kenya won the toss and elected to bat first. In the 31st over of Kenya's innings Kenya's Maurice Odumbe hit the ball in the air toward Jonty Rhodes. Rhodes dropped the catch and in the process he broke his hand. The South African cricket team medical staff decided that it would take four to five weeks to heal and therefore they withdrew Jonty from the World Cup squad. An X-ray later revealed that he had broken the fifth metacarpal bone in his right hand. Jonty's international cricket career had come to an end.
In all Jonty Rhodes had played in 245 One-Day International matches for his country, in which he was a great encourager and inspiration to his team mates around him. He played in a total of four World Cups, the 1992 Cricket World Cup, 1996 Cricket World Cup, 1999 Cricket World Cup and the 2003 Cricket World Cup in his home country. He will be remembered for many brilliant pieces of fielding.
Legacy
He is regarded by many people in cricket to be one of the best fielders who ever played cricket, if not the best fielder to ever play cricket. Sachin Tendulkar once admitted "with Jonty in the field it feels that South Africa is fielding with 15 players."
Charity work
After Jonty Rhodes had pulled off that amazing run out of Inzamam-Ul-Haq, he revealed in an interview that he had epilepsy. After hearing this Epilepsy South Africa approached Jonty to ask him if he would be interested in working with the foundation. After all he was well respected, well loved, clean living and was scandal free. By admitting that he has epilepsy, Jonty Rhodes was an inspiration to thousands of children and people who have epilepsy. Jonty became an excellent role model for people with epilepsy, he proved to people with the condition that it does not mean you are unable to achieve great things.
Awards/Recognition
- In 1999 he was voted as one of the Wisden Cricketer of the Year.
- In 2004 he was voted 29th in the Top 100 Great South Africans in SABC3's Great South Africans television series.
Other facts
- Jonty Rhodes has a degree in commerce.
- A Jonty Rhodes 50 cent coin was made to commemorate the 2003 World Cup in South Africa
External Links
- Jonty Rhodes at ESPNcricinfo
- Jonty Rhodes interview about fielding
- Epilepsy South Africa official site
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