Jonty Rhodes - the fielding superstar

Jonty Rhodes - Test cricketer, hockey player, coach, commentator and fielding revolutionary turns 46 today. He still appears fitter than many players who train under him these days and has made a career for himself while building a legacy too. Before Jonty, fielding was always in the back seat behind batting and bowling in cricket. Cricketers didn't care too much about it nor put much effort. After Jonty, and particularly in the T20 age today, cricketers cannot afford to be lax in the fielding department.

In a game that has traditionally been dominated by top class batsmen and bowlers, Rhodes was the game's original fielding superstar. That his 'primary' skill - batting - was pushed to the background only highlighted his expertise in the other field.

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No batsman was safe in attempting a run if Jonty was on prowl at backward point. Sample this:

A wicket wasn't just the bowler's anymore..

It all started with this in 1992..

Jack of all trades is how he describes himself and rightly so. Not only did he play superb cricket but he was also selected to represent South Africa in hockey in the Olympics! The all-rounder reckons that thinking like a goalkeeper or positioning himself like a hockey player helps his fielding. Watch him explain his fielding even as he shows you how its done.

Little known facts:

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