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The former South Africa batsman and ace fielder looks ahead to his T10 coaching stint, and talks about the best fielders he’s seen so far

Interview by Shashank Kishore07-Jan-2021The full-length dive into the stumps to run out Inzamam-ul-Haq at the 1992 World Cup is one of cricket’s most iconic images. The man in that picture, Jonty Rhodes, is pushing 52 but looks no older than 25. Fitness is a big part of his life, adventure even bigger. It’s this streak that has now taken him to Sweden, where he’s coaching a team of committed amateurs looking to pose a serious challenge at the Associate level. Rhodes is also a part of the IPL with the Kings XI Punjab, and will be seen in the upcoming T10 League as the head coach of the Pune Devils.In this chat, Rhodes talks about modern fielding, coaching below the elite level, and whether he has any World Cup regrets.You’ve had a busy post-retirement life. Fielding coach, head coach, motivational speaker, bank officer, commentator. Is there a box you are yet to tick?
I retired in 2003 and immediately started working with Standard Bank as a sponsorship manager. I didn’t really get back into cricket for six years. I retired thrice, which is crazy (laughs), but I could never leave it because this is a game I’m so passionate about.Related

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Initially, I thought I’d walk away from cricket completely, until the IPL came along. I started with Mumbai Indians in 2009 as fielding coach – did it for nine seasons. After that, a two-year break helped me, from a journey point of view. I spent a lot of time developing the game at the grassroot structures as opposed to working with high-performance players or teams. That was an eye-opener. I spent time in Nepal, Malawi, Zimbabwe, in different parts of South Africa – places with passion for the game but with limited facilities, yet it doesn’t diminish people’s love for what they do.Hopefully 20 years later, I’m still throwing balls around, scoring, umpiring or doing something in cricket.What are the challenges of coaching a small Associate member country like Sweden?
At Sweden, I’m not just the national coach, I’ve got to also look after the pathways from junior cricket to Under-19s to women’s cricket because there are only four paid professionals at the Swedish Cricket Federation. I’ve got players from Sweden who originate from Pakistan, Afghanistan, India. There aren’t too many locals, so that’s something I’m looking to push for. If you can harness that diversity, it’s a huge asset to have.There’s also a T10 gig coming up with the Pune Devils. How did that come about?
Interestingly, Sweden has a lot of T10 cricket. They don’t have many facilities, but there are a lot of clubs who want to play on weekends. It’s too drawn out to facilitate 50-over cricket. All the players registered with us are working professionals, so they only have the weekend off. Both T20 and T10 are a big part of the Swedish cricket make-up. I’ve got to get as much experience from this shortened version, even if it isn’t from an ICC point of view, because Sweden isn’t participating in a tournament currently.I’ve worked as a sponsorship manager when we introduced the Pro-20 in South Africa in 2004. I’ve been a stakeholder in T20s for a long time, so I’m looking to try and see that adjustment is very quick in T10 as well. It’s a different format. There are players who have more experience than I have [Pune’s marquee signings include Thisara Perera and Mohammad Amir], so I’m also looking to learn from them.On boundary catching: “If your feet are shuffling sideways, you can have the power to spring up and land at the same place”•BCCIWhat is the biggest attribute needed in a team environment today?
The ability to listen. As coaches, your first instinct is to feel the need to say something, but when you have so many experienced players in your line-up, you need something unique and powerful, because they have seen it all. On the field, you have no say when things unfold. Also, from the business point of view, there’s lot of strategy and analysis that could work, but it’s about the actual execution that’s important. And that’s done better by listening rather than telling them what to do. If you’re listening, you’re giving them a chance to work out what the best plan could be. It allows people to grow. It’s an important attribute to any environment – T20, T10, even life.Batsmen often have to change mindsets when they switch formats. Does it apply to fielding as well?
Yes, you talk about fielding in T20 cricket, but fielding is huge in Test cricket too. I still remember Ravindra Jadeja’s one-handed catch at deep square leg in a Test in New Zealand [in Christchurch in March 2020]. Those sorts of efforts can change a Test, but yes, T20 has certainly highlighted the importance of fielding and its intensity. In the IPL, you saw some brilliant saves at the boundary, not just great catches. Everywhere you’re looking to save a run. In a lot of games, it all comes down to the last over, last ball, so it’s not about if the guys are doing it differently, I don’t think so.Over the years, have you seen a fundamental shift in how young Indian players approach fielding?
One hundred per cent, but it’s more about the fitness levels. MS Dhoni started it in his quiet way. As captain, he was a quiet, behind-the-scenes guy with a lot of authority. Compare that to Virat Kohli. Heart on his sleeve, he’s very determined in what he wants to change and what he thinks is important. You think of his fitness level and how it changed his game and his athletic ability. You’ve seen that with guys like Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina – players I’m a great fan of – because of the ability to move in the field and the contributions they make with the bat.If you’re setting standards in your fitness levels consistently, that’s amazing. Because as a fielding coach, I can always coach somebody to catch the ball, but the difficulty is in getting somebody to the ball to catch it. If they don’t have that ability and mobility, it’s difficult. From what you’ve seen, the athletic ability has changed of all youngsters coming through.Cricket is a game of habit. Too often, you’ll have ten years of “this is how we field” and it’s difficult to change that. You can bat for two hours, but in India in April-May during the IPL, there’s no chance you can field for more than 20 minutes, so we work together in small groups: ten to 20 minutes of high-intensity fielding, 100%, get it right and move on. Players who spend lot of time bowling and batting, if you can improve their ability to move, that’s a massive change in the right direction.”If you’re listening [as a coach], you’re giving the players a chance to work out what the best plan could be. It allows people to grow”•Samuel Rajkumar/BCCITalking of athletic ability, we’ve seen some incredible boundary catches in the IPL. What is the key to being a good boundary rider?
It’s important to not take your eye off the ball. Whether you’re batting or fielding, you still have to watch the ball. Awareness is the key. What I try and promote as fielding coach is the need for players to play different sport. Whether it’s badminton, football – not seriously, just to get that lateral movement. As a field hockey player, there was a huge benefit to my fielding. It was a massive benefit to me [to be] a football player, because it gives you that peripheral vision and the awareness of space.From a catching point of view, it’s about getting back to the rope as quickly as possible and not looking at it. I was trying to get the guys to shuffle back to the boundary like they are stepping out when they are batting. You don’t run forward or run backwards when you’re stepping out to bat, you still come with a good shape. It will give you a good base to work from because if your momentum is taking you back towards the rope, as soon as you jump, you’re going to jump outside the rope. Whereas if your feet are shuffling sideways, you can have the power to spring up and land at the same place.Those sorts of things do have a technique to it. It’s about doing it enough times so that it becomes a habit and the players become aware. You can work on the technical skills, but it’s the awareness, the anticipation, that’s important.From memory, can you pick out some of the boundary catches that have stood out?
Hmm, not really. You think of the 2019 World Cup. Ben Stokes caught Andile Phehlukwayo at the boundary, but he got it wrong. He came in, one hand, leapt up and caught it. Adam Bacher caught Sachin Tendulkar one-handed in a Test in Cape Town when Tendulkar was just defying us. He got 100-odd, I think [169], and the only way we could get him out was through that incredible one-handed catch at the boundary over his head.With regards to T20, there’s been so much brilliance. What I’m loving is that for the first six years of the IPL, if you had a top-ten compilation [of the best boundary catches], it was only the international players in it. Two would be Indians. Now, you’d have at least seven Indians. That, for me, is way more exciting than one particular catch that stands out. It’s just the awareness that these young kids coming through have and the work that they are putting in as fielders.Who are the some of the best fielders you’ve seen?
Ricky Ponting was an incredible fielder. He shattered his ankle sliding into the advertising boards once. In Perth, there used to be a concrete wall as the boundary, as you saw in a lot of Australian grounds. Guys like myself and Ricky, who were committed in the field, had it tough diving around to save every run because we didn’t have a cushion to slide over while trying to pull the ball back in. We either had a wall or picket fence. So Ricky was incredible. Also, the accuracy with which he hit the stumps was amazing.Herschelle Gibbs – I spent a lot of my career playing with him, having him at cover and me at point was a lot of fun. The two of us terrorising the opposition batters was a lot of fun.I’ve enjoyed watching Suresh Raina throughout his career. He was Mr IPL. Everyone spoke about his batting, never missing a game for so long. My impression of him was: here’s a guy who is diving around, having grown up in India, which is an indication that he wasn’t afraid. Him and AB de Villiers, in the modern day, I’ve enjoyed. It’s not about the catches, it’s about the anticipation – them putting pressure on the opposition and never taking the foot off the gas for the full 20 overs.”I played in four World Cups. In four attempts, we didn’t win. If you tell me that I had a disappointing career, no. I don’t have any regrets”•Chris Turvey/PA Photos/Getty ImagesI have to ask you about your international career as we wrap up. Was there a hint of regret at not having won a World Cup despite having the teams to do so?
I played 11 years for South Africa. I played in four World Cups. My career spanned from the start of one edition to the end of another, and I never got to a final. Part of T10 is my focus on the process, less the outcome. As coach, it’s important to allow players the freedom. In four attempts [with South Africa], we didn’t win. If you tell me that I had a disappointing career, no. I don’t have any regrets. Talking of South Africa being chokers at ICC events, having been a part of it, never once have we walked onto the field thinking, “We’re going to win” or “Oh, we’re going to choke.” So from that point of view, I have no single regret.I had an incredible opportunity to represent my country at a stage where three years before 1992, even three months before the World Cup, no one even thought we’d be going there. Having that larger picture of life has shaped me in my cricket. I don’t have a regret. I’m just grateful. I didn’t even have a country to play for six months before the World Cup. And when I came in, people went, “Who is this guy Jonty Rhodes?” Because my average in state cricket was really poor. I was a feisty young guy on the field, but it wasn’t a big part of the game. Kepler Wessels was my captain. He’d played in Australia and knew how important it was. You couldn’t hit the ball out of the ground. The boundaries were big. You needed speed on the outfield, and he chose Hansie Cronje and myself in the squad.Not a single regret with regards to my cricket. No player envy either. How many cups you won doesn’t define me as a player. Australia won three World Cups during my time, but it doesn’t make my career any less of an incredible opportunity to do what I did to make a name for myself by playing a sport in the backyard with my brothers.

Manchester United have encountered major squad changes under INEOS and could be set to experience another big development under Ruben Amorim by selling one star to Bayern Munich.

Man Utd set to make midfield moves in 2026

There is no secret that the Red Devils wanted another midfielder on top of their current crop during the January transfer window. However, they will have to wait until 2026 to bring in engine room solidity.

Following a failed approach to land Brighton & Hove Albion star Carlos Baleba, Manchester United are reported to be lining up a January move for Porto’s Victor Froholdt, who has a £74 million release clause at the Primeira Liga giants.

Providing a more homegrown feel, Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton is also a high-profile name on Amorim’s list, even if it could cost a hefty price of £100 million to uproot the England international from South London.

After frustration over Kobbie Mainoo’s Manchester United future, the former Sporting boss delivered an intriguing take in the build-up to his side’s win at Liverpool on Sunday, emphasising that he understands why the Carrington graduate and others may feel hard done by not to have received more minutes.

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He stated: “That is normal, and I also know that in our club, everything is a lot of noise, and you have to have news, and players are not playing. They want to play. Like you said, there’s a World Cup. There are agents that listen to the players talking all the time. So, I understand that but they are our players, and we need everyone to have a good season.”

Ultimately, players come and go and that is something no club is immune from, hence why a landmark departure could now happen at Manchester United come 2026.

Bruno Fernandes wanted by Bayern Munich

According to reports in Spain, Bayern Munich have entered the race to sign Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes and the Portugal international could be tempted by the prospect of a move to the Allianz Arena.

Should a fee in the region of £60 million be offered, the Red Devils may be tempted to cash in on their captain to avoid a scenario where he tries to engineer an exit from Old Trafford.

Five similar players to Bruno Fernandes (FBRef)

Enzo Fernandez

Chelsea

Nadiem Amiri

Mainz

Alex Baena

Atletico Madrid

Declan Rice

Arsenal

Jude Bellingham

Real Madrid

Despite missing penalties against Fulham and Brentford this season, he remains a leading light for Manchester United in their quest to reach the top of English football again, though his contract is set to expire in 2027, something that could create problems down the line.

Clubs in Saudi Arabia are also keen on his services, though his main priority is to remain within European football, albeit the final decision will be left down to him personally rather than an outright refusal from the Red Devils to sell. Either way, this one may be worth keeping an eye on.

It might not have led to a Premier League title, but Arsène Wenger still had some sensational players in his later years at Arsenal.

The likes of Alexis Sanchez and Aaron Ramsey, for example, became some of the most entertaining players in the league.

However, arguably the best of the lot was Mesut Özil, who sent the fan base into delirium when he joined the club on transfer deadline day in 2013.

The World Cup winner was an artist with the ball at his feet, capable of things most would only dream of, and now, based on reports, it looks like Arsenal could be going after someone who could become Mikel Arteta’s version of Ozil.

Arsenal target their new Ozil

Arsenal went big in the summer window, signing more players than perhaps even the most optimistic of fans would’ve expected.

Transfer Focus

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However, with a title on the line, the club appear to be in the market for more reinforcements ahead of the winter window, and have been linked to a host of players.

For example, Nottingham Forest’s Murillo has been touted for a £79m move to the Emirates, as has Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola.

However, while both players would be excellent additions to Arteta’s squad, neither could really be described as the next Ozil, unlike Arda Güler.

Yes, according to a recent report from Caught Offside, Arsenal are one of several sides interested in signing the Turkish international.

In fact, the report has revealed that the Gunners are now stepping up their pursuit of the 20-year-old, although the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United appear to be doing the same.

In addition to the competition, a potential roadblock for this deal is that, per reports last month, it could cost as much as £88m to get the playmaker out of Real Madrid.

However, while it could be a costly and complicated transfer to get over the line, it’s one Arsenal should fight for, as Güler is an extraordinary talent and could be Arteta’s own Ozil.

Why Güler could be Arsenals new Ozil

Now, while it’s still early in Güler’s career, and it will take some time before he reaches the heights Ozil did, there are still apparent similarities between the pair.

Firstly, were this transfer to happen, then, like the World Cup winner over a decade ago, the young talent would be swapping the white of Real Madrid or the red and white of Arsenal.

Secondly, the 20-year-old is a sensational talent who still has so much room to grow and, like the Gunners’ former star, is someone whose future appears to be more central than out wide.

For example, while he has played on the right and several other positions, attacking midfield is where he has played most of his football and where he has been thriving this season.

Speaking of this season, the Ankara-born wonderkid is proving he is both a goalscoring threat and a creative force for his teammates.

In his 21 appearances, totalling 1365 minutes, the “generational talent”, as described by journalist Dean Jones, has scored three goals and provided seven assists, averaging a goal involvement every 2.1 games, or every 136.5 minutes.

Unsurprisingly, the young dynamo’s underlying numbers also help to justify such labels.

According to FBref, he ranks in the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s top five leagues for expected assisted goals, progressive passes, key passes, touches and more, all per 90.

Finally, if you still aren’t convinced, just listen to İlkay Gündoğan, who in 2023 made a clear link between the two midfielders.

“If there is a Turkish football player who is similar to Mesut Özil, the first name is Arda Güler. I see his future bright.”

Ultimately, while there is still a long way to go for Güler to reach the level Ozil did at his peak, he is clearly on his way. He was ranked second in the 2025 Golden Boy awards, living up to writer Neal Gardner’s billing that he is “the single best midfield prospect in world football.”

Therefore, Arsenal should do all they can to sign him

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Chelsea are poised to field interest from a quartet of English sides as a member of their squad sets his sights on the January exit door, according to a report.

Players who could leave Chelsea in January

Chelsea are preparing for a mini January clearout as Enzo Maresca looks to trim his bloated squad and free up valuable wage space at Stamford Bridge.

The most pressing situations involve ‘bomb squad’ members Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi, both of whom have trained separately from the first team throughout this entire season.

Neither player features in Maresca’s plans moving forward, yet both remain stuck on Chelsea’s books after failing to secure summer exits.

Sterling, earning well in excess of £300,000-per-week, spent last campaign on loan at Arsenal but failed to impress at the Emirates Stadium.

The former Man City winger joined Chelsea for £47.5m in 2022 with ambitions of competing for the Ballon d’Or, but his performances have fallen dramatically short of those expectations.

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His astronomical wages present a major obstacle to finding a suitable destination, with Turkish and Saudi clubs previously rebuffed as Sterling prioritises remaining in Europe.

Disasi’s predicament appears marginally more promising.

The French defender, who cost £38.5m from Monaco in 2023, spent the latter half of last season on loan at Aston Villa and recently made a surprise appearance for Chelsea’s Under-21 side.

Lyon have engaged in preliminary discussions regarding a January loan move to provide defensive cover during AFCON absences, though Chelsea may prefer permanent offers to avoid his return next summer.

Sterling and Disasi are sure-fire candidates to leave as we fast approach the winter window, but the same can also be said of Cobham academy graduate Tyrique George.

Tyrique George ready to leave Chelsea in January

Accoridng to TEAMtalk, George is actively pursuing a January departure from Chelsea after growing frustrated with his lack of opportunities under Maresca this season.

The 19-year-old Camden-born winger enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last term, making 26 appearances across all competitions after effectively replacing Sterling in the squad.

However, his progress has stalled dramatically this season, with just two League Cup starts, two Champions League starts, and a meagre 143 Premier League minutes accumulated from the bench.

Summer arrivals Estevao, Jamie Gittens and Alejandro Garnacho have all leapfrogged George in the pecking order, while Pedro Neto has arguably emerged as Maresca’s most consistent wing option.

The teenager has not started a single Premier League game this campaign, leaving his first-team prospects looking increasingly bleak.

Chelsea themselves are open to George’s exit and a potential transfer to sister club Strasbourg is seen as an ideal solution.

The BlueCo ownership group views such a move as allowing George to continue his development within their multi-club system whilst gaining regular first-team minutes under Liam Rosenior.

Any deal would likely include clauses protecting Chelsea’s interests should George become a success in France. However, the Englishman ideally wants a permanent exit rather than another loan, and several Premier League clubs are monitoring his availability after being made aware of his desire to leave.

Fulham remain strongly interested after their £22m summer deadline day move collapsed, with the likes of Leeds United, Everton and Championship side Southampton also keen on the forward.

With George now increasingly likely to leave in January, the race for his signature is already heating up.

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The Blues are an ideal destination for him.

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The Chicago Cubs are in Japan this week for the MLB's Tokyo Series, playing several exhibition games from the Tokyo Dome before kicking off the regular season against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday.

Ahead of their contest against the Yomiuri Giants on Sunday, Cubs infielder Justin Turner spotted two young fans sporting fake beards—an ode to the signature flowing facial hair that he's kept throughout his career—and ended up making their day.

The 40-year-old went over to them, gave them two signed baseballs, and took a photo with them.

Check out that awesome interaction:

A two-time All-Star and a World Series champion with the Dodgers in 2020, Turner signed with the Cubs last month on a one-year, $6 million deal. He's also currently the most endorsed MLB player with 20 active deals—which may explain how he has fans not only nation-, but worldwide.

Marnus Labuschagne is feeling primed to start his push for a Test recall in time for the Ashes amid the ongoing debate about how Australia’s top three will shape up come Perth in late November.Labuschagne was dropped from the Test side for the first time since 2019 at the start of the recent series in West Indies having averaged 27.82 with one century over the previous two years.There had been some consideration given to him leaving that tour early in order to play either county cricket or for Australia A, but he ended up staying throughout, training extensively with the coaching staff, something he has continued since getting home to Brisbane.Related

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“This [being left out] has given me an opportunity to reflect and not having the pressure of the media saying, ‘Marnus has got to go’,” Labuschagne told in his first interview since losing his spot.”I mean that’s part of the game. There is a tipping point but it’s something I thrive on… proving the doubters wrong and being able to find a way. Missing those West Indies Tests gave me the chance to back and think, ‘This is where I want to be and this is how I’m going to get there’.”After the West Indies Tests, head coach Andrew McDonald said Labuschagne’s absence from the side “wasn’t going to be a huge gap.” He could make a return to Australia colours in the ODI series against South Africa later this month having been retained in that squad then will have three Sheffield Shield matches for Queensland before the Ashes side is named in mid-November.Should he make a compelling case for a recall, there remains the question of where he would return in the order with Cameron Green finishing strongly at No. 3 against West Indies in tough batting conditions although there is a scenario where Green drops back down the order should he be available to bowl.Labuschagne’s last Test before his omission saw him pushed up to open in the World Test Championship final against South Africa where he made 17 and 22 and he would gladly take on the role again should that provide his route back.”I would be happy to do that – I would love to,” he said. “If opener is where I need to bat to be playing in the Test team, that’s fine. If you had asked me where I prefer to bat obviously I have batted at three my whole career, but at this stage you don’t get a choice.”I opened in the World Test Championship final and felt I batted quite well. I got in but did not go on with it.”