Cornwall unfazed by fitness noise, says performance is key
West Indies Test spinner and Leewards Islands Hurricanes all-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall has always been placed under the fitness microscope.
Cornwall celebrates with his teammates (Brandon Corlette photos)
“People will always have their thoughts and saying, I have to do what makes me comfortable and keeps me performing. That (the fitness talk) is out of my control, I have to control what I can, just got to keep putting in the work,” Cornwall explained.
The man who took his 300th First-Class wicket in his 67th match at the regional level at Guyana’s National Stadium disclosed that this was a good feeling. “I have never been aware of the milestone, but it’s a good feeling, a good achievement.”
Currently with 30 wickets in five matches this season, the champion off-spinner revealed that he has a certain number of games to play.
“I think I’m resting after this round; if I do come back before this season finishes, I will do my best and see how I can get Leeward Islands over the line,” the burly off-spinner said.
Rahkeem Cornwall bowls
With West Indies set to tour England this summer, the Test spinner stated that playing First-Class cricket was always a good warm-up.
He pointed out that it was always good to give back to the local franchise. “It might be different conditions, but I just have to stick with it and bowl a lot of overs.”
With Hurricanes at the bottom of the championships table on 48.4 points after seven rounds, Cornwall noted that the back end of the tournament would be important for the newbies to Four-Day cricket.
“We’re not really up there for the Four-Day championships, but we have young guys in the team who are looking forward to First-Class cricket, so they can have enough confidence leading into the pre-season so they just have to get a taste heading into the upcoming season,” Cornwall concluded.
The off-spinner has played two Test matches and a total of 67 First-Class matches. He has a tally of 303 wickets in the longer format, including 19 five-wicket hauls with a best bowling figure of 8-51. His record for a spinner remains supreme; additionally, he has one First-Class century and 13 half-centuries. (Brandon Corlette)
