The man who popularized fielding, Jonty Rhodes, acknowledges that he is getting older because modern cricket players’ deft boundary work has elevated the sport to a new level.
He now watches in awe as players routinely defy physics at the rope, handing balls to teammates mid-flight before collapsing over the line. The sight of a flying Rhodes effecting the run-out of Inzamam-ul-Haq at the 1992 World Cup once characterized athletic fielding.
During his 11 years in international cricket, Rhodes glamorized fielding, but the South African is astounded by the present level of athleticism, particularly in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL).
“For a long time, I felt like the godfather of fielding. Nowadays, I definitely feel like the grandfather,” the 56-year-old quipped in a Zoom interview with Reuters.
“The level of fielding has just gone through the roof. The evolution of fielding has been the boundary riding, and protecting the boundary.”
“I keep getting told ‘Jonty, no one can touch you’, but I never left the circle,” stated Rhodes, who intimidated the majority of batters in his heyday with his imposing presence at backward point.
According to Rhodes, fielding will inevitably change as hitters increased their range and bowlers improved their skill sets.
The relay catch strategy, in which deep fielders toss the ball before reaching the boundary rope for a teammate to take it or return to collect it themselves, was invented by West Indies Kieron Pollard, according to Rhodes.
“We see it as routine, but the guys put in a lot of practice. It’s the sexy part of fielding, let’s face it, and everybody wants to be involved because it’s on the highlight reels and everyone mentions it.”
As a fielding coach for multiple IPL teams, Rhodes claimed to have conducted particular drills to improve certain boundary plays.
“Fielding practice was scenario practicing as much as possible, and that was definitely one of the scenarios that we would work on.”
The batter-friendly character of T20 has only increased the value of excellent fielding, he continued.
“It’s not an even contest between the bat and ball. So if you’re in the field, and you can take a brilliant catch, or run someone out and help your team break the partnership, that is essential.”
“So many of the games come down to the last over, and oftentimes the last delivery, in T20 cricket. If each player saves one run, that’s 11 runs you’ve got in the bag, and it makes a massive difference in that last over.”
Rhodes was especially impressed with New Zealander Glenn Phillips’ versatility among the current fielders, comparing him to former Proteas teammate Herschelle Gibbs.
“Herschelle Gibbs was a spectacular, one-handed catcher. I was definitely more of a guy who tried to go with two hands as much as possible. I think Herschelle was way more spectacular than me,” he said.
“Glenn Phillips just does some spectacular acrobatic fielding and saves and catches in the circle and in the boundary.”
