Wikipedia

Jonty Rhodes

Jonathan Neil "Jonty" Rhodes (born 27 July 1969) is a South African professional cricket coach, commentator and former Test and One Day International cricketer.[1] He is regarded as one of the greatest fielders of all time and was the first South African cricketer to take 100 ODI catches. He played for the South African cricket team between 1992 and 2003.[2] He is the fielding coach of the Lucknow Super Giants[3] in the Indian Premier League. He is the fielding coach of Durban's Super Giants as well as the consultant fielding coach of the Sri Lanka national cricket team. Rhodes was a member of the South Africa cricket team that won the 1998 ICC KnockOut Trophy, the only ICC trophy the country has won.

Jonty Rhodes
Rhodes in 2013
Personal information
Full name
Jonathan Neil Rhodes
Born (1969-07-27) 27 July 1969 (age 55)
Pietermaritzburg, Natal Province, South Africa
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight-arm medium
RoleMiddle-order batsman
International information
National side
Test debut13 November 1992 v India
Last Test10 August 2000 v Sri Lanka
ODI debut (cap 17)26 February 1992 v Australia
Last ODI12 February 2003 v Kenya
ODI shirt no.8
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1988–1992University of Natal (Maritzburg)
1988/89–1997/98Natal
1998/99–2002/03KwaZulu-Natal
1999Ireland
2003Gloucestershire
Career statistics
Competition Test ODI FC LA
Matches 52 245 164 371
Runs scored 2,532 5,935 9,546 8,907
Batting average 35.66 35.11 41.14 32.86
100s/50s 3/17 2/33 22/52 2/51
Top score 117 121 172 121
Balls bowled 12 14 162 80
Wickets 0 0 1 2
Bowling average – – 83.00 22.50
5 wickets in innings – – 0 0
10 wickets in match – – 0 0
Best bowling – – 1/13 1/2
Catches/stumpings 34/– 105/– 127/– 158/–
Source: CricInfo, 19 July 2009

Rhodes was born in Pietermaritzburg, Natal Province, South Africa. Whilst being noted for his quick running as a right-handed batsman, he was especially noted for his defensive fielding, particularly catching, ground fielding, and throwing from his most common position of backward point. A report prepared by Cricinfo in late 2005 showed that since the 1999 Cricket World Cup, he had effected the ninth-highest number of run outs in ODI cricket of any fieldsman, with the third-highest success rate.[4]

During his career he also played club cricket for the University of Natal in Pietermaritzburg and first-class cricket for Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, KwaZulu-Natal, Natal and the Dolphins. Rhodes retired from Test cricket in 2000, and from one day cricket in 2003 after an injury during the 2003 Cricket World Cup.

Rhodes also represented South Africa at hockey, and was chosen as part of the 1992 Olympic Games squad to go to Barcelona; however, the squad did not qualify to go to the tournament.[5] He was also called up for trials to play in the 1996 Olympics but was ruled out by a hamstring injury.[6]

Career highlights

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Test career

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Rhodes made his Test début against India in the first Test of the "Friendship Tour" at his home ground in Kingsmead, Durban on 13 November 1992, scoring 41 in the first innings and 26 not out in the second.

Rhodes scored his first Test century during the first Test of a three match series against Sri Lanka at Moratuwa during the 1993–1994 season. Batting on the last day, Rhodes scored 101 not out and along with Clive Eksteen salvaged a draw. South Africa went on to win the series 1–0 by winning the second match and drawing the third.[7]

Rhodes announced his retirement from Test match cricket in 2001 in order to allow him to continue playing until the 2003 Cricket World Cup in South Africa. His last Test match was on 6 August 2000 at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo against Sri Lanka. Rhodes made scores of 21 and 54 in the two innings. Sri Lanka went on to win the match by six wickets. He was also well known for hitting reverse sweep and has also hit the first reverse sweep shot which had gone for a six.

ODI career

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Rhodes made his One Day International début against Australia in South Africa's opening match of the 1992 Cricket World Cup at the Sydney Cricket Ground on 26 February 1992. Australia batted first, scoring 170, and Rhodes dismissed Craig McDermott via a run out. South Africa scored 171 to win the match by nine wickets; Rhodes was not required to bat.

 
Jonty Rhodes in 2002

Rhodes shot to fame after South Africa's fifth game of the World Cup, against Pakistan on 8 March 1992 at the Brisbane Cricket Ground. South Africa batted first, scoring 211 off 50 overs. Pakistan's innings was reduced to 36 overs because of rain interruptions, with the target revised from 212 to 194 runs. Inzamam-ul-Haq and Pakistan captain Imran Khan resumed the innings when play was restarted. With the score at 135/2 Inzamam, who was at the time on 48, set off for a run but was turned back by Khan. The ball had rolled out towards Rhodes who ran in from backward point, gathered the ball and raced the retreating Inzamam to the wicket. Rhodes, with ball in hand, dived full length to break the stumps and effect the run out. The run out, the subject of a famous photograph by Jim Fenwick, is still considered one of the more spectacular feats of that World Cup and the defining moment of Rhodes' career.[5][8] Pakistan's innings faltered from then on, eventually finishing on 173/8 with South Africa winning by twenty runs.

On 14 November 1993 Rhodes took a world record of five catches, to achieve the most dismissals by a fielder (other than a wicketkeeper) against the West Indies at Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai.[9]

Rhodes announced that he planned to retire from One-Day International cricket after the 2003 Cricket World Cup in South Africa. However, his tournament was cut short when he got injured in a match against Kenya. In Kenya's innings, Maurice Odumbe hit the ball in the air toward Rhodes. Rhodes dropped the catch and in the process broke his hand. The South African team's medical staff concluded that it would take four to five weeks to heal, effectively ruling Rhodes out of the rest of the tournament. Rhodes was withdrawn from the squad and replaced by Graeme Smith.

Post-retirement

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After retiring from playing cricket Rhodes was employed by Standard Bank as an account executive and is also involved with the bank's cricket sponsorship in South Africa.[10] Rhodes then worked as a fielding coach in the South African national cricket team.[11] He was the fielding coach for IPL Team Mumbai Indians, followed by the fielding coach for Kings XI Punjab at the 13th season of Indian Premier League. The Kenyan cricket team announced that Rhodes had been hired as the team's assistant coach, assisting Kenya with fielding and batting until the 2011 Cricket World Cup.[12]

In April 2013 South African Tourism appointed Rhodes as their brand ambassador for India.[13]

Coaching career

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Rhodes in 2019

He was appointed as fielding coach for Punjab Kings. In September 2020, Rhodes signed a contract with the Swedish Cricket Federation, ahead of moving to Sweden on a permanent basis.[14] In Feb 2022, he was also named as batting coach for Punjab Kings for IPL 2022 in addition to his responsibilities as fielding coach for the side. After the 2022 season of IPL, he was released from his position along with other coaching staff when Punjab Kings parted ways with their chief coach Anil Kumble.[15] Before the start of 2023 season of IPL, Jonty was appointed by Lucknow Super Giants as their fielding coach.As of now he is the mentor and has signed a 3-Years Contract for Pokhara Avengers for the Inaugural Edition of Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2024.[16]

Recognition

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Personal life

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Jonty in 2017

He married Kate McCarthy, a niece of former South African Test cricketer Cuan McCarthy, on 16 April 1994 in Pietermaritzburg. The couple have two children: a daughter, Daniella, and a son, Ross.[17] The couple's divorce was finalized in 2013, after Rhodes left his wife for photographer Caroline McClelland in 2009.[17][18][19] He and McClelland were then engaged till he broke off the engagement to marry architect Melanie Wolf in October 2014.[20][21][19]

In April 2015, Rhodes' second wife Melanie (now a yoga teacher) gave birth in Mumbai to their daughter named India.[22][23] The inspiration for her name came from India's rich mix of culture, heritage, and tradition. Rhodes has forged a bond with the country, leading to a spiritual awakening. Rhodes has described his special affiliation with the river Ganga, and shared his experience of swimming in the river on social media.[24][25] In 2017, Jonty performed a puja for his daughter at Pejawar mutt at Mumbai.[26] A regular visitor to India, Jonty and Melanie's second child Nathan, was born in India in 2017.[27]

References

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  1. ^ "Top 10 Best Cricket Fielders Ever". listdose.co. Archived from the original on 26 February 2017. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  2. ^ "Jonty Rhodes profile and biography, stats, records, averages, photos and videos". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  3. ^ "Lucknow Coaching Team".
  4. ^ Basevi, Travis (9 November 2005). "Statistics – Run outs in ODIs". Cricinfo. Retrieved 5 February 2007.
  5. ^ a b Oliver Brett (13 February 2003). "Fielder of dreams". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 January 2007.
  6. ^ "Hockey team has an admirer in Rhodes". Rediff.com. 2 September 2004. Retrieved 4 January 2007.
  7. ^ Peter Robinson (28 June 2000). "History favours South Africa". Cricinfo. Retrieved 4 January 2007.
  8. ^ Neil Manthorpe. "Player Profile: Jonty Rhodes". Cricinfo. Retrieved 4 January 2007.
  9. ^ Manthorp, Neil (31 May 2009). "Rhodes takes five". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 19 January 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  10. ^ Brad Morgan (30 January 2004). "What are you up to now, Jonty?". SouthAfrica.info. Archived from the original on 28 November 2006. Retrieved 4 January 2007.
  11. ^ "Bob was more than a coach to me - Rhodes". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  12. ^ "Kenya news: Jonty Rhodes to assist Kenya's World Cup preparations | Kenya Cricket News | ESPN Cricinfo". Cricinfo.com. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
  13. ^ Jonty Rhoes named South African tourism ambassador in India – Latest Cricket News, Articles & Videos at Archived 28 June 2013 at archive.today. Cricketcountry.com. Retrieved on 2013-12-23.
  14. ^ "Breaking: Jonty Rhodes signs on with Sweden". Emerging Cricket. 10 September 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  15. ^ "Jonty Rhodes out: After new captain, Punjab Kings rope in new coaches for IPL 2023 - Report". 4 November 2022.
  16. ^ "Lucknow Coaching Team".
  17. ^ a b "Jonty dumps wife for girlfriend". Sport24. 14 January 2010. Archived from the original on 14 September 2012. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
  18. ^ "Here's Jonty's girlfriend". Times of India. 21 April 2011.
  19. ^ a b "Jonty Rhodes ties the knot". Sport24. 3 November 2014.
  20. ^ Sharma, Garima (23 August 2013). "Getting married in India is quite a mission: Jonty Rhodes". Times of India.
  21. ^ "Jonty Rhodes turns 51: 'Catch' a glimpse of his life with wife Melanie and kids". Mid-Day. 27 July 2019.
  22. ^ NDTVSports "Jonty Rhodes Blessed With Baby Girl, Names Her India Jeanne", "NDTV Sports", 24 April 2015. He has named her "India Jeanne Rhodes". Retrieved on 4 May 2015
  23. ^ "I am addicted to yoga because of my wife". CricToday. 16 March 2020.
  24. ^ "Jonty Rhodes and Ganga connection: How ex-cricketer loves Indian values, culture & heritage". Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  25. ^ "Jonty Rhodes: My bond with India has led to spiritual awakening". Hindustan Times. 13 April 2021. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  26. ^ Desk, India com Sports (2 May 2016). "Jonty Rhodes' love for Indian culture continues, performs puja for daughter India | India.com". www.india.com. Retrieved 9 February 2022. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  27. ^ "Jonty Rhodes is dad again, son born in Mumbai hospital". Times of India. 22 May 2017.
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