`Rubberman' Rhodes back on prowlEvery cricket afficionado remembers the photograph. It came to define Jonty Rhodes, the world's only fielding all-rounder. It was in 1992, at the World Cup.The South African was captured in a full-length swallow dive, his arm stretched out towards the stumps with the ball in his hand. A split second later and Inzamam-ul Haq of Pakistan had been run out.The 29-year-old from Pietermaritzburg is unique in that, for most of his career, he has been selected first as a fielder, then as a middle-order batsman. His athletic, gravity-defying work at backward point - the area which most batsmen favour when they cut or slash-drive - was estimated to save around 30 runs an innings and often earn him a catch or run-out that no one else would have got close to. If he did score runs, they were a bonus.Akram a natural heir to ImranCaptaining the Pakistan cricket side over the past year has proved about as secure a career move as swearing marriage vows with KingHenry VIII. In both cases, failing to deliver has led to a swif taxing.Last year Wasim Akram, Ramiz Raja, Saeed Anwar, Rashid Latif and Aamir sohail each led Pakistan on to the field.All were sacked and the Pakistan heirarchy decided eventually to revert to Akram, long regarded as the natural heir to Imran Khan as fast bowling all-rounder and national leader.Hamilton is England's loss - for nowAfter England's less than impressive start, their selectors could be forgiven for casting an interested eye towards Grace Road today to see how Scotland's Gavin Hamilton gets on against West Indies.With Andy Flintoff and Adam Hollioake yet to prove themselves as international class all-rounders, England may be regretting cutting the Yorkshire all-rounder from their provisional squad.As he was born in Broxburn, 20 miles West of Edinburgh, the 24-year-old immediately threw in his lot with Scotland - once it had been clarified that he could still qualify to play for England after the World Cup.
