The Hindu : Sport : Rhodes dazzles off the field too

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Dec 01, 2004

Sport

Sport

Rhodes dazzles off the field too

By S. Dinakar

Jonty Rhodes at a press conference in Kolkata.

KOLKATA, NOV. 30. He has eyes that reflect joy and a spirit that reaches out. Jonty Rhodes still carries with him much sunshine and laughter. This South African has to be among the most popular cricketers of the modern times. The very mention of Rhodes' arrival at the Eden Gardens led to a commotion in the press box. His name spells magic.

The other day, Justin Langer said something significant. "People who transform the game in one way or the other have got to be great players," the Aussie said.

Simply put, Rhodes revolutionised fielding during an era where limited over cricket witnessed phenomenal growth, flinging himself on either side to stop blistering hits at backward point. He is arguably the game's greatest shot-stopper.

A light smile crossing his visage, Rhodes, here on a promotional tour for a bank apart from some charity work, said, "you got to love fielding. That is the key. You should enjoy being out there. I wanted every single ball to come to me."

Indeed, Rhodes, defying gravity would soar over the turf much like a bird in flight whether running out Pakistan's Inzamam-ul-Haq in an incredible fashion in the World Cup of 1992, or pluck the rapidly travelling ball out of thin air.

His combination of astonishing reflexes, remarkable athleticism and extraordinary anticipation meant this short, bubbly character could turn the course of a match in a blink. Rhodes remembers his World record feat of five catches — the most by a non-wicketkeeper in an ODI — at the Brabourne Stadium against the West Indians in the Hero Cup of 1993. "The big crowd chanted my name and I was on foreign soil. I can never forget the feeling."

Feisty batsman

And the 35-year-old Rhodes says the imprint of the Kookaburra ball when he dived full length at covers and nailed the catch inches from the ground when Sachin Tendulkar drove fiercely during a match in South Africa is still visible. Looking at his palms, he says, "I can still feel it."

His record as a middle-order batsman for South Africa — 2,532 runs in 52 Tests at 35.66 and 5,935 in 245 ODIs at 35.11 — is not the kind to be scoffed at. He was a feisty batsman who left the opposition rattled in crunch times with his cheeky stroke-play.

Such was the quality of Rhodes' fielding though that it is for this aspect of his game that he will occupy a page in the cricketing book of immortality. His 34 catches in Tests and 105 in the ODIs are extremely high for someone who seldom stood in close catching positions. And then take into account the massive amount of runs saved and those sizzling direct hits. Actually, Rhodes carried forward the legacy of Colin Bland, that sensational South African of the 60s, who was reputed to possess an even deadlier throw than Rhodes, knocking the stumps down every single time he took aim.

Fun element lost

Asked about the present state of the Indian fielding, Rhodes said it had improved but added in a tongue-in-cheek manner: "Kapil Dev and Ravi Shastri were fine gentlemen, but they didn't get their pants dirty very often."

While commitment to bank-related work keeps him occupied these days, Rhodes did not rule out some sort of involvement with the Indian team at a future date.

The former Natal cricketer believes that South Africa, whose form had dipped sharply in the ODIs, is feeling the absence of three key players with clearly defined roles who bid adieu within a year. "Donald would thunder in and achieve key breakthroughs, Gary Kirsten would bat through the innings, and I would scamper between the wickets like a mad man after the 30th over."

Rhodes is of the opinion that the current players are not enjoying the game as much as the likes of himself and Donald did, "because there is so much more pressure on you to perform. The fun element was gone."

Cricket was fun to this charmer and entertainer from Pietermaritzberg. Every day in the park, he would enjoy himself, and bring much sunshine and joy.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport