Rhodes to assist Pak team for two weeks

DUBAI: Former South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes has said he will assist the Pakistan team for two weeks before their tour of England in June.

"I will be assisting Pakistan for only two weeks before their England tour," said Rhodes, who is here to conduct a cricket clinic for young children.

Pakistan Cricket Board is in process of hiring Rhodes, hailed as one of the world's greatest fielder, for a short-term basis and expects to utilise his expertise to improve the fielding of the senior players as well as the
Pakistan A team.

"I have been invited by Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer. I would be going for two weeks before the Pakistan team's tour to England, mainly to help them improve their fielding," said Rhodes, currently employed with the Standard Bank in South Africa.

The South African said he felt great that all the teams were focussing on improving fielding and believed that the team with best fielders would lift the next World Cup.

"I am happy that every team is now focusing on improving their fielding... Australians are the favourites to win the next World Cup not because they are good with the bat and the ball but because they are good on the field too.

 "Pakistan, India, South Africa and New Zealand are all evenly matched. It is their fielding that will make the difference," he was quoted as by 'The Gulf News'.

Rhodes also said "If I get chance to coach a national side I will go for that as it will be brave new challenge for me. If there is a future for me as a coach in world cricket I will go for that."