On the occasion of former South Africa cricketer Jonty Rhodes’ 47th birthday, Twitter has been abuzz with several tweets wishing the flying fielder on his big day. Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag is always active on the social media website and is well-known for his tweets.
He was the first one to wish Jonty a very happy birthday with his sense of humour, reminding the South African of how he used to look like an “Udan Khatola” (Unidentified Flying Object) while fielding for the Proteas.
Post his retirement in 2003, Jonty had joined the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as their fielding coach during the inaugural season. Even at the age of 47, the South African maintains his fitness and is the fielding coach of both his national side and the IPL side.
There is a reason why Jonty was famous for his fielding and we are sure this video will remind you of that. It is one of the most iconic moments in the history of the gentlemen’s game when Jonty literally flew in the 1992 World Cup to get Pakistan’s Inzamam Ul Haq out. See for yourself:
India’s Mohammed Kaif, who is known as the best fielder that India has ever had, has always seen Rhodes as his role model, calling the South African his ‘guru’ through his tweet.
One of his fans even went to say that the player’s fielding skills are such that he can cover almost every part of the land on Earth.
Jonty Rhodes was the first player in the history of cricket who gave fielding a new meaning and showed the cricketing world why that aspect of cricket is also important.
Rhodes’ compatriot and fellow commentator Pat Symcox was also not behind and wished the 1999 Wisden Cricketer of the Year on his special day.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) were quick to wish one of the best fielders on the planet with this tweet.
The lightening quick fielder has also been compared to the famous TV series character “The Flash” by one of his fans.
For what will be a little-known fact for many of our readers, Jonty Rhodes has also represented his country in hockey at the international level.
Rhodes’ love for India has been well documented with the stylish 47-year old naming his first child “India Jeanne Rhodes” due to his admiration for the cultural and geographical diversity of the nation.
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