By Brian Murgatroyd
Colombo - Jonty Rhodes has confirmed he has no intention of returning to Test cricket, despite another outstanding performance for South Africa's one-day side on Friday.
Rhodes made a vital 61 from 80 balls to help his team to a tense two-wicket win in their Champions Trophy clash against the West Indies, an innings that emphasised his continuing value to the side.
It prompted questions about whether the 33-year-old would reconsider his decision to confine himself to one-day cricket only, which he took after playing the last of his 52 Tests on the same Sinhalese Sports Club ground two years ago.
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| 'I know I'm in the right place here with these guys' |
"If I played both forms of the game I would have serious questions about whether I was in the right place, and I know I'm in the right place here with these guys," he told reporters on Saturday.
"I love the game and I would still love to play Test cricket too but this enables me to enjoy being here. My Test cricket days are over."
Rhodes may enjoy playing one-day internationals, but even he was forced to admit that conditions for the opening Pool 3 encounter were taxing.
The two sides played out a thrilling, last-ball finish despite baking hot temperatures and humidity that would be considered high, even in Rhodes's native Durban.
"In 36 degrees and 100 percent humidity nothing is comfortable," he said.
| 'A win is a win and we want to get back into the winning habit' |
"It's been five years since I batted with a cap on, I don't like doing it with my helmet off, but that's an indication it was pretty warm."
South Africa have come into the Champions Trophy after a tri-series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan in Morocco where, after starting brightly, they lost their way on slow, turning pitches and lost in the final to Sanath Jayasuriya's side.
Rhodes believes that having played in that tournament after a winter off, he and his team-mates are now getting back in the groove of one-day cricket.
"We made the same basic mistakes against Sri Lanka in three matches in Morocco and that was a bit frustrating," he said.
"I felt I'd let the team down by not finishing games and I spoke to the coach about putting that right.
"It was early season for us and although you talk a lot it doesn't always happen as the muscle memory takes time to kick in.
"Morocco was good preparation for us and helped and maybe we were under-prepared for that and lacking some self-belief.
"I think we set that straight (against the West Indies) in a tight situation as the team that panics least wins."
Rhodes is hoping Friday's victory will signal the start of a run of good form after a topsy-turvy year for South Africa in one-day cricket. In the past nine months they have won the tri-series in Australia, and suffered a 5-1 thrashing on home soil at the hands of Ricky Ponting's side.
"A win is a win and we want to get back into the winning habit," he said.
"Winning the tight ones from behind, especially after we wanted 19 from the last two overs, is great. It's good to be part of that situation."
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