New Delhi:
His height is six foot five inches (6'5"). His weight is 140 kgs. No, we are not taking about the World Wrestling Entertainment's Big Show. This description is of Rahkheem Rashawn Shane Cornwall or Rahkeem Cornwall, the 26-year-old member from the Leeward Islands. Cornwall and Shamarh Brooks were the new members included in the 13-man side for the two-Test series against India which begins on August 22 at the Sir Viv Richards stadium in Antigua.
The Leeward Islands all-rounder has impressive numbers. In 55 First Class games, he has 260 wickets and has scored 2224 runs at an average of 24 while predominantly batting at the number seven position. He has taken 17 five-wicket hauls and two 10-wicket hauls in the longest format of the game. His consistency has also earned him a promotion as the captain of the Leeward Islands team in recent months.
However, many people will remember Cornwall for his involvement in an altercation with Kieron Pollard during the Caribbean Premier League encounter between Barbados Tridents and St Lucia Stars in 2017. Cornwall had blasted the Barbados bowling and had put the St Lucia Stars close to victory. In the 16th over, he was hit by a slow bouncer on the stomach by Pollard and he struggled for mobility.
Having been hit on the stomach and with his energy level dipping due to the heat and humidity, Cornwall struggled to run and continue batting. When he had smashed 78 off 44 balls, Cornwall retired hurt and Pollard had a fierce arguement with Cornwall as he was helped off the field by the physio. St Lucia stars lost the match by 29 runs.
Cornwall has a career-best haul of 8/108 in First Class cricket and in the 2018/19 WICB Professional Cricket League's regional four-day tournament, Cornwall took 54 wickets in nine games at an average of 17 with three five-wicket hauls and one ten-wicket haul.
"Rahkeem has been performing consistently over a long period of time and has proven to be a match-winner, so we believe his elevation to the Test squad is merited at this time. We believe he can provide an attacking option to our bowling attack with his sharp turn and extra bounce. He can also lend a bit of depth to the batting, so we are looking forward to him coming into the squad and making a valuable contribution," Robert Haynes, the head of CWI's interim selection panel, said on Cornwall's selection.
With India not performing well against spinners in overseas conditions in the recent past, Cornwall will be expected to help West Indies break their hoodoo against India, having not won a Test series against them since 2002.
