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Jonty Rhodes

Jonty rhodes02
Jonty rhodes02 Image: Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 3.0

Overview

Jonathan Neil "Jonty" Rhodes (born 27 July 1969) is a former South African Test and One Day International (ODI) cricketer, currently active as a professional cricket coach and commentator. Widely regarded as one of the greatest fielders in the history of the game, Rhodes represented the South African national cricket team between 1992 and 2003. He was the first South African cricketer to take 100 catches in ODIs.

Key Facts

Full name Jonathan Neil Rhodes
Born 27 July 1969, Pietermaritzburg, Natal Province, South Africa
Nationality South African
Batting Right-handed
Primary fielding position Backward point
International career 1992–2003
Domestic teams Natal, KwaZulu-Natal, Dolphins, Gloucestershire
Club cricket University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg
Other sport Field hockey (South Africa national squad)

Background

Rhodes was born in Pietermaritzburg in the then Natal Province of South Africa. He played his early club cricket for the University of Natal in Pietermaritzburg before progressing to first-class and international cricket.

Cricket Career

Rhodes made his international debut in 1992, the year South Africa returned to international cricket. As a right-handed middle-order batsman, he was noted for his quick running between the wickets. However, his lasting reputation was built on his fielding — particularly his catching, ground fielding, and throwing — most often from the backward point position.

A Cricinfo report compiled in late 2005 indicated that, in the period since the 1999 Cricket World Cup, Rhodes had effected the ninth-highest number of run outs in ODI cricket among all fieldsmen, with the third-highest success rate.

Rhodes was a member of the South African squad that won the 1998 ICC KnockOut Trophy, which was the first ICC trophy won by South Africa.

At domestic level, Rhodes appeared in first-class cricket for Gloucestershire County Cricket Club in England, as well as for Natal, KwaZulu-Natal and the Dolphins in South Africa.

He retired from Test cricket in 2000 and from one-day international cricket in 2003, following an injury sustained during the 2003 Cricket World Cup.

Field Hockey

Rhodes also represented South Africa in field hockey. He was selected as part of the South African squad for the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, although the team did not ultimately qualify to compete at the tournament. He was later called up for trials for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics but was ruled out by a hamstring injury.

Coaching and Post-Playing Career

After retiring as a player, Rhodes moved into coaching and commentary. His coaching roles have included:

Significance

Rhodes is regarded as one of the greatest fielders in the history of cricket. His agility and athleticism at backward point are credited with helping to transform the standards of fielding in international cricket during the 1990s, and his approach has influenced subsequent generations of fielders and fielding coaches.

References