Cornwall smashes masterful century in rain-affected clash with USA
Regional Super50 Tournament
– Leeward Islands Hurricanes snatch 2nd victory
Rakeem Cornwall scored a rapid 125 from 93 balls that included 10 gigantic sixes and six timely fours against the United States of America (USA) in a rain-affected encounter at the Three Ws Oval, University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados.
Rakeem Cornwall swings for the hills during his masterful century
The Leeward Islands Hurricanes won the toss and opted to bat first on a small outfield, scoring 248-7 in 49 overs.
The Hurricanes lost opener Keacy Carty in the second over of the innings to left-arm spinner Nosthush Kenjigie as he was caught by Timil Patel for one. USA bowlers continued to interrupt the Hurricanes batsmen, with the top three batsmen scoring 22 runs combined. However, Hurricanes skipper Devon Thomas and Cornwall had other plans as they scored briskly. Thomas was dismissed in the 19th over for 43 from 52 deliveries by leg-spinner Patel as he was threatening to take the attack to the USA bowlers. Cornwall continued to lose batting partners, but that did not halt his scoring rate. He finally found a reliable partner in Orlando Peters, who faced 57 deliveries, scoring 27 useful runs. In the final over, Cornwall finished off in style as he thumped the USA left-arm fast bowler for a huge maximum and a four off the final two deliveries for an unbeaten 125. Kyle Phillips, who has been among the wickets for the USA, grabbed 3-62 in eight overs. Left-arm spinner Kenjigie bowled economically, grabbing two wickets for 28 runs in 10 overs, including two maidens.
Timil Patel was the best bowler on show
As there were continuous rain breaks, the USA were tasked with a revised target of 207. The openers Jaskaran Malhotram and Monank Patel were watchful until the latter was dismissed by off-spinner Terrence Ward in the ninth over with the score on 22. Skipper Malhotram and Steven Taylor consolidated for a while, but leg-spinner Damion Jacobs sent Taylor packing for 23 runs, bowling the 19th over. The Hurricanes bowlers bowled brilliantly as they contained the USA batsmen. Cornwall, who bowled with control and variation, picked up two wickets for a mere 13 runs in eight overs as he completed a man-of-the-match performance, while medium pacer Orlando Peters had two wickets in his two-over spell; Terrence Ward, who had an economy rate of 3.2, had one wicket along with Chesney Hughes and Jamaican Damian Jacobs. USA Captain Malhotram was the only USA batsman to contribute substantially with 40 from 90 deliveries. After the 36th over, the rain began pouring and the game concluded. The USA were on 131-7 losing by 47 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis method.
Devon Thomas during his knock of 43
The Leeward Islands Hurricanes and the United States of America are at the bottom of Group B. The USA’s next encounter will be on October 20 at Cave Hill, Barbados facing the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC), while Leeward Islands will play the exact opponent, CCC, on October 22 at the Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados. (Brandon Corlette)
