The Kepler Wessels led team who made their reentry in world cricket in 1991 were in India, playing their inaugural match against India. The all white South Africans were thirsting for respect in world cricket when they were banned for several years due to the apartheid situation. Rhodes's story actually begins from here. For ten years since then, the South African cricket team dominated world headlines, and was at its peak when in 1999 the match fixing controversy erupted, bringing the curtains down on some amazing cricket.Jonty's amazing abilities as a fielder and a sportsman have never been shrouded in mystery.On the contrary, against his parents' wishes, Jonty has been very open about his life.Born epileptic, Jonty could never play any major physical sport such as Rugby or Football.
The concussions he suffered as a result of his rebellious efforts would only worsen his condition. Determined to be play sports,Jonty played all kinds of sports, using his powerful hand eye coordination technique. Jonty soon made it in the 1991 squad coached by Woolmer,which was to be South Africa's official entry into world cricket after apartheid.Two things were clear after the matches played ,one that they were highly optimistic and two that they were powerfully determined to win.But it was the fielding which was what everybody was talking about.The center of that dominion lied in the hands of one wiry,chirpy blond man,Jonathan Neil Rhodes,a.k.a Jonty.
Jonty's antics of running people out when it seemed improbable,diving mid air for a catch,fooling the batsman using the wrong body signal,and his aggressive positive stroke play as a batsman broke the rules of conventional cricket so much so,that cricket itself was reinvented.Jonty' s warm and friendly behaviour which avoided so many ego clashes have become now part of South African cricket psychology.Jonty has been open about that aspect too,he says that's because he is now a Christian in the true sense and believes in the healing powers of forgiveness.Infact Jonty was one of the few members who stood by Hansie Cronje during the painful King Commission.
So today sky is the limit for Rhodes,after having successfully retired from world cricket,working as a Manager in a Finance firm,enjoying a love-filled life with his wife and child,reaching out to everybody when they need him.
We can all say what his parents said when they were asked about Jonty,
“It's been such a privilege”.
