Jonty Rhodes, a former South Africa star, is widely recognized as the finest fielder in cricket history. While few fans of the present age have had the opportunity to witness Rhodes’ absolute fielding brilliance, the recently concluded Champions Trophy 2025 provided a peek of the South African through the electric acrobats of New Zealand all-rounder Glenn Phillips.
Notably, during the Champions Trophy final against India, Phillips made a gravity-defying catch of batsman Shubman Gill while stationed in the short extra-cover position. Mitchell Santer, the Kiwi captain, floated his off-spinner outside the off stump on the fourth delivery of the 19th over, and Gill attempted to hoick it over Phillips but was unsuccessful. Following the catch and India’s historic victory, a fan turned to social media to declare the New Zealander the best fielder of his generation, before apologizing to the 55-year-old.
However, on Monday, March 10, Jonty Rhodes noticed the fan’s tweet and responded in an unexpected manner, demonstrating his humility and true sportsman spirit. Rhodes responded graciously, winning over the entire cricket fraternity.
“Don’t be sorry, I agree,” Rhodes replied to the fan
Sorry @JontyRhodes8 we believe in Philips best fielder of this generation
#INDvNZ #NZvsIND#ChampionsTrophy2025 pic.twitter.com/n0Cbr08W9j
— Diptiman Yadav (@diptiman_6450) March 9, 2025
Don’t be sorry, I agree https://t.co/blN2eYm690
— Jonty Rhodes (@JontyRhodes8) March 10, 2025
Jonty Rhodes established a standard for fielding in the 1992 ODI World Cup.
The argument over who is the better fielder has been going on for a while, speaking of the fielding comparison and Jonty Rhodes’ qualifications. Although Phillips’ fielding could not prevent Team India from winning the Champions Trophy for a record-tying third time, he did establish a new standard for future players. Even in the league stage match against India, when he was in the point zone, Phillips dismissed Virat Kohli with a stunning blow that left him speechless. Everyone was left in awe at Sachin Tendulkar’s catch off Lance Klusener’s bowling, which was taken by none other than the legendary Rhodes, thanks to this acrobatic act.
Jonty Rhodes against sachin
Glenn Phillips against kholi
Which one is better? #INDvsAUS #CricketTwitter #SachinTendulkar #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/7S9J2VHwCZ
— Aniket singh (@CriketNpolitics) March 4, 2025
The South Africans, however, set the standard for the rest of cricket when they transformed the art of fielding in the 1990s. Inzamam Ul Haq’s “flying run-out” during the 1992 ODI World Cup is particularly memorable and will always be a part of cricket legend. However, as time has gone on, the game has changed, and new gun fielders like Glenn Phillips are assuming the lead to reshape fielding standards and to remind people of Jonty Rhodes’s outstanding fielding in contemporary cricket.
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