Tough to dive around on Indian grounds: Jonty

Jonty Rhodes, the undisputed king of fielding, said Indian grounds need to be better to improve fielding standards. "Some grounds are quite dangerous and the conditions needs to improve. That's probably the reason why young players are hesitant to dive around.

Rhodes reveals plans. PIC/Suresh KK

Obviously, if the grounds were in bad shape, then even I wouldn't have dived either. A proper place is required to learn all this," Rhodes said during the launch of Omtex Jonty's Way at the Cricket Club of India yesterday.
The South African great emphasised on learning the right fielding techniques.

"Most youngsters fall on their knees while diving, which is dangerous. You have to be fully committed and go flat out while diving because then, the chances of getting injured are less," the 42-year-old said. Rhodes has committed to devote 45-60 days in India with the academy.

He will train the coaches who will impart skills to the players. A nominal training fee will be charged tou00a0 aspiring coaches and cricketers. The Mumbai Indians fielding coach aims to make fielding fun. "It is important that players learn the right fielding techniques at an early age as it is difficult to change them later.

The youngsters focus a lot on their batting and bowling, but ignore fielding. I have to literally fetch them for fielding drills. My idea is to make fielding fun. I am not expecting them to be like me, but I am hoping they become the best," he said.

He related his own example to explain its importance. "I was an average batsman, but my selection in the 1992 World Cup team was purely on my fielding exploits. Fielding can help tremendously in your selection. I used all the sports that I played to help my fielding."