Jonty Rhodes set to feature in a World Cup for the first time since 2003

It is fair to say that Jony Rhodes- the former South African International- revolutionized the art of fielding. It all started when World Cricket first saw a glimpse of Jonty, who bamboozled the likes of Inzamam Ul-Haq and many other batsmen with his pulsating catching and even more dynamic ground fielding. It is close to seventeen years now since the world saw Jonty spreading his magic on a cricket field. But, the wait is about to end for fans as Rhodes is set to compete in another World Cup. 

The former Proteas cricketer who played 245 ODIs and 52 Tests for his country, has been named in the 16-man squad for the Over-50 World Cup, which is set to be played in Cape Town in the March of 2020. The sixteen-member squad was announced on Monday, and Rhodes is one of the six Protea Internationals selected while 15 if the selected squad members have played either First-class or List A cricket.

Dave Callaghan, Louis Koen, Pieter Strydom, Alan Dawson, and Henry Williams have all played for South Africa either at Test or ODI level and will be doing an encore of it next March.

“It is a huge honour and one I never imagined would happen again,” said Rhodes who played 52 Tests and 245 ODIs for his country. Another chance at a World Cup after my career ended at the 2003 event…it is super exciting. It’s a first World Cup for most of the guys but, for me and Dawsey, who was also part of the 1999 squad, it’s another chance to try and win one!” Rhodes said as quoted by iol.co.za.

Alan Donald to coach the team at the Veteran World Cup

The squad will be coached by the former legendary fast bowler Alan Donald, who, if not for his shoulder injury would have featured as a player. Speaking of the squad, it boasts of all-rounder Dave Callaghan, who is best remembered for his whirlwind 169* against New Zealand in 1994.

Meanwhile, Striker’ Strydom played two Tests and 10 One-day Internationals for the Proteas while former fast bowler Henry Williams claimed 276 wickets in 89 First-Class matches and also played seven ODIs for the national side.

“It’s a strong squad on paper and I have no doubt they’ll do their country proud, but there’s a lot of hard work to do before the tournament because teams like Pakistan and the West Indies are also full of former internationals while England and Australia have long-established Veterans leagues so they’re always strong,” said Donald.

The captain of the squad hasn’t yet been selected and it will be chosen at the start of the competition. The veteran World Cup- sponsored by Evergreen Lifestyle- will consist of 12 teams and will be played on different grounds in and around Cape Town with th3 final set to take place at Newlands on March 24, 2020.

SA Over-50 Squad:

Jonty Rhodes, Dave Callaghan, Louis Koen, Alan Dawson, Pieter Strydom, Kenny Jackson, Dave Holgate, Anwell Newman, Neil Fusedale, Rodney Malamba, Mlungisi ‘Lefty’ Ngece, Dave Duncan, Warne Rippon, Brad Player, Nazeem White, Henry Williams.

Coach: Allan Donald

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