Windies vs India: Rahkeem Cornwall focussing on reducing his body weight

After the three-match ODI series, India and the Windies are all set to cross swords in the two-match Test series. The opening Test is scheduled to get underway on August 22 at the North Sound in Antigua. In the meantime, Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced the squad for the red-ball fixtures and it includes Rahkeem Cornwall, who’s set to be the heaviest international cricketer.

The 26-year-old hulk-like character from Guyana weighs a staggering 140 kgs and it was confirmed by renowned cricket statistician Mohandas Menon. Recently, Cornwall was a part of the West Indies A squad that faced India A in the unofficial Tests and One Dayers in the Caribbean itself.

Even as there have been questions surrounding his selection, CWI president Ricky Skerritt backed him saying that Cornwall has been among the most consistent players in domestic cricket. Also, he stated that the all-rounder is working hard on improving his fitness and reducing his weight.

Rahkeem Cornwall has earned his selection

“Rahkeem has been under the supervision of a CWI appointed Strength & Conditioning (S&C) trainer, nutritionist coach. He has been managed off of a concerted plan in which we are gradually reducing his weight and improving his fitness while allowing him to play competitively,” he was quoted as saying in Mid-Day.

“He has been the most successful spinner in our first-class professional league and has earned his selection by taking many wickets at an economical rate,” the president added. In first-class cricket, Cornwall has 260 wickets in 55 matches with 17 five-wicket hauls. With the bat in hand, he has notched 2,224 runs at an average of 24.43 with one century and 13 half-centuries.

“The 26-year-old Antiguan all-rounder (an offie) Rahkeem Cornwall is in the West Indian squad for the first Test against India. At 140 kgs, he could be the heaviest ever Test cricketer. Former Australian captain in the 1920s Warwick Armstrong was around 22 stones (139 kgs),” Mohandas Menon mentioned.

Back in 2016, Cornwall had impressed against a touring Indian team. The off-break bowler churned out a five-wicket haul, which included the scalps of Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane. He also top-scored in the first innings, having scored 41 while facing a strong attack.