Published 00:52 IST, August 31st 2019
Rahkeem Cornwall debuts for WI, becomes world's heaviest cricketer
Rahkeem Cornwall, the West Indies all-rounder who weighs around 140 kg, will make his debut against India in the second Test match at the Sabina Park in Jamaica
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Rahkeem Cornwall, West Indian all-rounder who weighs around 140 kg, will make his debut against India in second Test match at Sabina Park in Jamaica. Cornwall became heaviest Test cricketer ever when he was included in playing XI for West Indies surpassing former Australia captain Warwick Armstrong, who weighed 133-139 kg, to achieve this feat.
A consistent performer over years
West Indies captain Jason Holder won toss against India and opted to ball first in second Test. Holder said that Rahkeem Cornwall will make his debut in place of Miguel Cummins and Jahmar Hamilton too will make his debut who replaces Shai Hope. Holder also ded that y expect good things from Cornwall and he can spin ball on all surfaces.
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26-year-old Cornwall weighs 140 kg and is 6 ft 6 inch tall. Cornwall is an Antiguan cricketer who his first-class debut in 2014 and has since has been regularly playing for Leeward Islands. He has been a consistent performer in domestic arena and has taken 260 wickets from 55 first-class matches and scored 2,224 runs. He bats lower down batting order and has ability to hit big sixes. Recently, he scored two half-centuries in two ufficial 'Tests' against India. He also finished as leing wicket-taker with 54 wickets in recent regional four-day tournament.
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Fitness issues delayed his inclusion in WI national team
Despite being a talented and consistent performer, Rahkeem’s fitness delayed his chances to make it to senior national team. "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 Test squ is merited at this time," Robert Haynes, he of CWI's interim selection panel, said. "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 batting, so we are looking forward to him coming into squ and making a valuable contribution.”
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Jacques Kallis is my hero: Rahkeem Cornwall
A few days earlier, he h said, “I believe Test format suits my game because of consistency a player needs over a long period of time to be successful, and I’ve enjoyed that challenge so far in my career playing first-class cricket,” to Cricket West Indies website. He also said that he was earlier inspired by Brian Lara but he idolises former South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis. “My cricket hero is definitely Jacques Kallis. way he carried himself as an all-rounder on and off field, I’ve tried to visualise and work to match certain things I saw Kallis do to my game. Test match I remember most watching was Brian Lara’s 400 in Antigua 2004. It was an early inspiration for sure to become a professional cricketer and to play for West Indies”, he said.
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20:27 IST, August 30th 2019