8 Interesting facts about Rahkeem Cornwall

Rahkeem Cornwall has an imposing figure for a cricketer, he is 6 ft 4 inches tall and weighs 140 kilograms. He looks more like a basketball maverick from the Caribbean. But the 24-year-old had his interest on the cricketing field and chose the sport. Cornwall shot into the headlines with his knock for the Board President’s XI against the touring English team.

Walking out to the crease when his team was in a spot of bother at 55/5, he managed to take them to a decent score of 233 in 50 overs. Cornwall is the typical Caribbean who looks like a special talent and has allround capabilities with both the bat and ball. However, it would be interesting to see if he can make into the West Indies team. Here are some interesting facts about the big man.

1. Cornwall from Antigua

Rahkeem Rashawn Shane Cornwall was born on February 1, 1993, in Antigua, part of Leeward Islands. The Island boasts of producing legendary names such as Viv Richards, Curtly Ambrose, Andy Roberts and Richie Richardson, among others. It has also given Windies 4 captains till date. Interestingly, it’s been a while since a player from Antigua played for West Indies since Kieron Powell in 2012.

2. Debut at 18

Rahkeem made his debut for the Leeward Islands at an early age of 18, against Trinidad & Tobago, back in 2011. He went wicketless, but it was an economic spell, giving away 21 in 4 overs. He could only score 12 runs in a match, the Leeward Islands lost.

3. First international team to witness the talent: India

Cornwall was selected to face the Indians in the Board President’s XI in July 2015. He instantly caught the attention with his performance by picking five wickets. He scalped the prized wickets of Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli and Ajinkyaa Rahane with his off-spin.

4. Potentially heaviest player in international cricket

If Cornwall does make it to the national side, he would be the heaviest player to grace the cricketing field at 140 kg and towering 6′ 5” frame. Dwayne Leverock of Bermuda, who played the 2007 World Cup, is the figure one can recall from recent memory for players who were immaculate in size. However, it was Warwick Armstrong of Australia at 133 kg who holds the record at the moment.

Also check out- List of heaviest players on cricket field

5. A handy off-spinner

Even though Cornwall performed well with his bat against the English and scored an explosive 74 for the Leeward Islands against the Windward Islands, Rahkeem has been a steady bowler and has an impressive record in the domestic circuit. He has picked 125 first-class wickets at an average of 24 from 25 matches.

6. Recent domestic 50-over performance

He has been doing a world of good to his reputation by performing well in the recently concluded Regional Super50 tournament. Playing for the Leeward Islands, he scored 252 runs at a strike-rate of 117 and had an average in excess of 50. He proved his utility by picking 10 wickets from 7 innings at an average of 31 and more importantly an economy-rate of 3.6.

7. He reminds of Pollard

The bulk of figure he is, Rahkeem is not the technically correct batsman but can hit the ball long. He reminds one more of Kieron Pollard with his stand-and-deliver acts. The sixes are mostly one heave and a shoulder tug.

8. An 8-fer

Rahkeem’s best figures in a first-class innings read 8/108. He picked 12 for 205 in the match. He has taken a total of 10 five-wickets hauls till date in first-class cricket in addition to 1 ten-wicket haul.

Don’t be surprised to see him in the West Indian colour soon as Chairman of Selectors Courtney Browne said recently: “We’re actually putting a programme in place for Rahkeem where we are actually going to have someone to manage him overall.”