Cricket is a game that has much to do with statistics and averages, but one cannot judge Jonty Rhodes purely on those because he was worth far more than the story those numbers tell.
As a batsman he 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 is in the field.
Rhodes broke onto the international scene during the 1992 World Cup, held in Australasia, when he effected a spectacular run out by diving at the stumps to snare the wicket of Pakistani batsman Inzamam-ul-Haq. Until his retirement in 2004, he was viewed by many as the world's premier fieldsman, particularly when fielding in the cover point and backward point positions.
