Jonty Rhodes as a batsman, Jonty began his international career with some shortcomings in his technique, but managed to work those out to become a top-class international player.

What is more, his selection introduced a new dimension to fielding, as he became generally recognised as the best fielder in the world, the inspiration for a South African team that set a world standard in the field.

That is how Jonty Rhodes first came to the attention of the world: South Africa was facing Pakistan in March 1992 in the World Cup in a match played in Brisbane.

The dangerous Inzamam ul-Haq was at the crease for Pakistan when he discovered just how good Rhodes was in the field.

Jonty Rhodes proved to be an inspiration to his team-mates throughout his career. Maybe his award as one of Wisden’s Cricketers of the Year in 1999 best serves to illustrate that numbers don’t always tell the whole story, and especially not in the case of Jonty Rhodes.

Jonty Rhodes | Cricket Legend

He hoped for a fairytale ending to his international career in 2003, when he played for the Proteas in the World Cup on home soil, but in a cruel blow he suffered a broken hand against Kenya in South Africa’s second match, bringing to an end a wonderful career in the cruellest manner.

The presence of Rhodes could surely have helped the Proteas reach the Super Sixes, something that they failed to do.

It was his fourth World Cup, but unfortunately it did not bring the fairytale ending that it should have produced for one of the real gentlemen of the game.

Jonty was the fielding coach of the Mumbai Indians in the IPL which led him to spend 15 weeks a year in India.

Jonty is currently living and coaching in Sweden.

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