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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.
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.
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 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.
Sachin Tendulkar once admitted "with Jonty in the field it feels that South Africa is fielding with 15 players."
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 ( see List of South Africans).
External Links
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