Birthday special: Jonty Rhodes – 5 most iconic moments of his career

Probably, the greatest fielder the world has ever seen in the game, Jonty Rhodes is celebrating his 54th birthday today and he had been involved in some incredible fielding displays. South Africa traditionally has been an excellent fielding side for generations but Rhodes had something extraordinary that not many were capable of. Let us look into Rhodes’ five most iconic moments from his magnificent international career:

Man of the match as a substitute

Jonty Rhodes was the first-ever cricketer to bag the man of the match as a 12th man and there has been no instance of such again in the game. It was during a first-class game when Rhodes showed off his incredible fielding skills and got involved in seven dismissals as a fielder that resulted in getting honoured with the award.

Rhodes flew in air in 1992 World Cup to dismiss Inzamam-Ul-Haq

Rhodes has never been afraid of diving or flying in air when it comes to fielding and his phenomenal effort in the 1992 World Cup against Pakistan has always been remembered. Inzamam was batting well on 48, when he got hit on the pads and ran halfway for a single when the ball had gone in the point direction. Rhodes realised the chance to run-out Inzamam and he sprinted and flew in the air to dislodge all three stumps.

First South African to pick up 100 catches in ODIs

Jonty Rhodes took a brilliant catch in the point region to dismiss Damien Martyn and in the process, became the first South African to pick up 100 catches in ODIs. Makhaya Ntini bowled a nice wider full delivery and Martyn creamed it to the left of Rhodes, however, a stunning dive to the left helped Rhodes grab a screamer.

Rhodes sends the stump flying with a bullet throw

In a Test match between South Africa and Australia, Rhodes tried hitting the stumps on two occasions and missed by a whisker to keep the batter going still. However, he came rushing in for the third attempt, collected the ball, and hit the stumps with a bullet throw to send one stump packing. It was the big wicket of Allan Border and the whole South African side cherished the run out.

Rhodes wins sprint race with Desmond Haynes

In an ODI game between South Africa and West Indies In 1993, Rhodes had a sprint battle against Desmond Haynes that was unbelievable. Haynes defended the delivery and was quick to get to the other end, however, Rhodes ran quicker than Haynes and got rid of the bails with a lower-arm throw.