Tales

THE END OF THE RHODES

The end of an international career is often a time of disappointment and regret.

When Jonty Rhodes injured a bone in his right hand, attempting a catch against

Kenya on 12^th February, the entire cricket fraternity moaned with disappointment…..

disappointment that the best fieldsman in modern times would not be able to entertain

us again in this World Cup.

Instead of moaning about his misfortune, Jonty expressed no regrets but was thankful

that he had been able to represent his country on so many occasions.

Jonty played 245 ODIs and 52 Test matches, taking part in four World Cups. He

averaged more than 35 with the bat, in both forms of the game. For the spectator,

his skill in the field was unforgettable as he patrolled the region behind point. Batsmen

thought twice when they played the ball into his territory…..and then they decided

against a run. As an umpire I was always acutely aware of his presence, knowing

that I must make position for run outs more quickly than usual. The benefit came at

the end of the over when he bolted away to collect the next bowler’s cap, saving me

considerable walking distance.

His athletic flying run out of Inzumam-ul-Haq at the ‘Gabba ensured that he would

always be a crowd favourite in every cricket playing country of the world.

For me, I can vividly recall him giving me vocabulary lessons at Eden Park in Auckland

in February 1999. I was struggling with some basic Afrikaans when Jonty provided

me with a phrase to use in greeting players. Unfortunately Jonty must have also

struggled with the language because the translation was very basic…so basic I was

making an offensive remark to his team mates!

In August 2002, Jonty obliged me with a request for a photo in Tangier, Morocco

where a tri-series was played between South Africa, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. We are

holding a half sized Aussie Rules football, bearing the logo of the Norwood Football

Club, my local Adelaide team. If he had been an Australian, no doubt Jonty would

have excelled in that sport as well.

I can’t think of another cricketer of the modern era who has provided such a fine

example of fair play and true sportsmanship.

photo: Daryl & Jonty show their true colours.