Rhodes contemplates life after cricket

It's an old-fashioned maxim - quit while you're ahead. The moment of this season that I'll pick out was at Lord's - where else? Vikram Solanki, a strokeplaying delight, was on the verge of making a mockery of Mark Alleyne's decision to field first in the C&G Final.

Solanki was the non-striker, considering a quick single to backward point. Would you, if Jonty Rhodes was there? In my right mind I wouldn't - neither then, nor on any other conceivable occasion over the last 14 years. Solanki paid the price, and Worcestershire collapsed. Gloucestershire, like a pride upon their prey, were rampant.

Family has prompted Rhodes, at 34, to bid Bristol farewell, after a season in which he gave fresh thoughts and muscular impetus to an accomplished one-day team.

"Fielding is something I really enjoy," said Rhodes when I met him shortly after he confirmed his departure. "Even after 14 first-class matches this season and umpteen one-day games - I can't even count them. It's been a major part of my life, and just stems from the fact that I love being out there on the field. I'm not an entertainer, I'm not looking to try to impress the people, but I really am having fun. If you're not enjoying it, it can become a bit tedious. But I've loved every minute of it."

It speaks volumes for Rhodes' professionalism that a Championship hundred immediately followed the announcement of his decision not to return to Gloucestershire next season. He has made three others this summer, and while fortunate to see three of the four, I found it depressing on each occasion that so few others were watching.

"It's been something that I've really been looking forward to for a long time, playing county cricket. I've thoroughly enjoyed myself, and learned a lot. The C&G final at Lord's was certainly one of the highlights - just being at Lord's for a one-day game was something I'd never done before. Doing a lap of honour with the trophy was one of many highlights that I've had."

Rhodes scoffs at the widespread belittling of county cricket. "I think there are great opportunities - you're playing a lot, whereas in South Africa you don't play so much. Even in Australia you're not playing every week like you do here. I think it's up to the individual - the platform is set. You saw Ed Smith score hundreds and hundreds of runs and he got selected for the national side. It's a great opportunity, because you can push for a place in the national team every day, week in, week out, whereas in South Africa you can actually get two weeks off, and not get a game, so you miss out.

"It's not about English players not being strong enough, or aggressive enough, or tough enough. That's up to the individual - it's not a team thing or a nationality thing. English county cricket has produced some great players in the past. I've loved playing, and if you enjoy playing cricket it's a great place to be. Hopefully Gloucestershire have enjoyed having me around as well."

Choose the finest memory. I was sampling the unique atmosphere of the Long Room at Lord's in 1998, when Rhodes returned there after a Test hundred. Regaled by the applause in this confined and echoing chamber, he looked humble, abashed and a little taken aback. But the sweat and the exhaustion showed too - and it was impossible not to detect an inner satisfaction at an innings well played.

"I've been playing first-class cricket for 14 years. I've had 10 years of international cricket and I've thoroughly enjoyed it. I've no regrets whatsoever. I've had some great times on and off the field, and it's not just about scoring runs or having victories - I've just enjoyed every single day at the office.

"It's been a great opportunity. It's a privilege to have represented my country, and have this chance now to play in somebody else's country, There are 14 blokes here who didn't know me from a bar of soap. They've welcomed me so comfortably and so hospitably into their ranks, and I've really loved it."

And after retirement? "I've no idea - I've been the kind of person who doesn't sit and watch cricket very well. If I'm not playing I'm not sure how patient I'll be sitting on the side, without actually going to participate. Who knows? Cricket's been such a major part of my life, and it'll be quite nice to have a break for a while, and see where the future takes me."

Heaven knows what efforts Gloucestershire made to persuade Rhodes to stay, but he has always driven his destiny. Thus as the years pass, the finest fielding talent of his generation will never fade to grey.