Jonathan Neil "Jonty" Rhodes, born on 27 July 1969, is a South African cricket legend, coach, and commentator who left an indelible mark on the sport. Widely hailed as one of the greatest fielders in cricket history, Rhodes was the first South African to secure 100 catches in One Day Internationals (ODIs). He represented South Africa in both Test and ODI cricket from 1992 to 2003, and is currently the fielding coach for the Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Rhodes also lends his expertise as a fielding coach to the Durban Super Giants and serves as a consultant for the Sri Lanka national cricket team. His career highlights include being part of the South African team that clinched the 1998 ICC KnockOut Trophy, the country's only ICC title to date.
Rhodes was born in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, and while his batting was impressive, it was his defensive fielding that set him apart. Known for his quick reflexes and agility, especially at backward point, he became renowned for his catching, ground fielding, and throws. In 2005, it was revealed that since the 1999 Cricket World Cup, Rhodes had achieved the ninth-highest number of run-outs in ODIs, with one of the top three success rates.
Throughout his career, he also played club cricket for the University of Natal and first-class cricket for teams like Gloucestershire, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Dolphins. Rhodes retired from Test cricket in 2000 and stepped away from ODIs in 2003 after suffering an injury during the 2003 Cricket World Cup.
Beyond cricket, Rhodes was also a skilled hockey player and was selected for the 1992 South African Olympic squad, although the team did not qualify. In 1996, he was again considered for the Olympic trials but was sidelined by a hamstring injury.
A Test Career Marked by Key Milestones
Rhodes made his Test debut on 13 November 1992 during South Africa's "Friendship Tour" against India at Kingsmead, Durban. He contributed 41 runs in the first innings and remained unbeaten on 26 in the second.
His first Test century came in the 1993-1994 season during a three-match series against Sri Lanka. Rhodes' memorable innings of 101 not out on the final day, alongside Clive Eksteen, helped South Africa salvage a draw in the first Test. The team went on to win the series 1-0. Rhodes later announced his retirement from Test cricket in 2001 to focus on the 2003 Cricket World Cup. His last Test appearance was on 6 August 2000, in Colombo, where he scored 21 and 54 in two innings, though South Africa lost the match to Sri Lanka.
Apart from his stellar fielding, Rhodes became famous for his reverse sweep shot, even hitting the first reverse sweep for six in a Test match.
ODI Stardom and Iconic Moments
Rhodes made his ODI debut in South Africa's opening match of the 1992 Cricket World Cup against Australia. While South Africa chased down the target of 171 to win by nine wickets, Rhodes did not need to bat, but he made an immediate impact in the field by running out Craig McDermott.
Rhodes' defining moment in ODI cricket came during South Africa’s match against Pakistan on 8 March 1992. When Pakistan's Inzamam-ul-Haq attempted a run, he was turned back by Imran Khan, but Rhodes charged in from backward point, gathered the ball, and dove full length to break the stumps, dismissing Inzamam. This dramatic run-out, captured in an iconic photograph, remains one of the most celebrated moments of the 1992 World Cup and Rhodes' career.
On 14 November 1993, Rhodes set a world record by taking five catches in a match against the West Indies, the highest number of dismissals by a non-wicketkeeper.
Rhodes planned to retire after the 2003 World Cup, but an unfortunate injury during a match against Kenya cut his tournament short. He broke his hand attempting a catch, and the injury required four to five weeks to heal, leading to his early withdrawal from the World Cup squad.
Life After Cricket: Coaching and Business Ventures
Following his retirement from cricket, Rhodes transitioned into the corporate world, working as an account executive for Standard Bank, where he also contributed to the company’s cricket sponsorship efforts in South Africa. Rhodes returned to the sport as a fielding coach for the South African national cricket team and later took on the role of fielding coach for various IPL teams, including Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab.
In 2013, South African Tourism named Rhodes as their brand ambassador for India. His coaching career extended internationally, with Rhodes working as a fielding and batting coach for the Kenyan national team leading up to the 2011 Cricket World Cup.
Rhodes expanded his coaching portfolio when he signed a contract with the Swedish Cricket Federation in 2020. He also served as batting coach for Punjab Kings in IPL 2022 before being released at the end of the season. In 2023, he was appointed as fielding coach for Lucknow Super Giants.
Personal Life: Family and Connection to India
Rhodes’ personal life has garnered attention over the years. He married Kate McCarthy in 1994, with whom he had two children, Daniella and Ross. The couple divorced in 2013 after Rhodes left McCarthy for photographer Caroline McClelland, whom he later became engaged to, though the engagement ended. In 2014, Rhodes married architect Melanie Wolf, and the couple had their first child, India, in 2015. The name "India" was chosen in honour of the country's rich cultural heritage and Rhodes’ deep spiritual connection to the nation.
In 2017, Jonty and Melanie welcomed their second child, Nathan, born in India. Rhodes has frequently expressed his love for India, describing how the country has brought him spiritual growth and a sense of connection, particularly to the Ganges River, which he has shared on social media.
The Man Who Revolutionised Fielding
Fielding was often overlooked in cricket until Jonty Rhodes arrived on the scene. His iconic run-out of Inzamam-ul-Haq during the 1992 World Cup remains one of the most extraordinary moments in cricket history. Thanks to his agility—largely due to his background in hockey—Rhodes transformed backward point into a critical position on the field.
Although cricket did not come naturally to him, Rhodes worked tirelessly to improve his batting skills. In the early years, he was primarily selected for his fielding prowess, but a complete overhaul of his batting technique allowed him to contribute more with the bat. Post-improvement, Rhodes averaged over 50 in Test cricket and became an innovative batsman in ODIs, known for pioneering the reverse sweep.
Jonty was also one of the first cricketers to take paternity leave when his daughter was born. At one point, he held more endorsements than any other team-sports athlete in South Africa. A fractured finger during the 2003 World Cup led to his retirement, but Rhodes continued to influence cricket through coaching and mentorship.
In recognition of his contributions to cricket, Rhodes was named one of Wisden's Cricketers of the Year in 1999 and ranked 29th in South Africa's Top 100 Greatest South Africans.