“Waiting for that call a long time”, says new Test recruit Cornwall

By Brandon Corlette

It takes a lot of mental strength to do what Rahkeem Cornwall does: performing on a consistent basis around all those surrounding critics.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sport in an exclusive interview, the West Indies new Test recruit revealed that this call-up gives him a good feeling. Cornwall is in the 13-member squad that will play India from August 22.
“I was waiting for that call a long time now, and it has officially come. It’s a nice feeling just to have to go out there and do what I do”, Cornwall explained.
The 26-year-old off-spinning all-rounder has signalled his intention to do what is right on a consistent basis. “Well, basically, I just back myself, do the right things over and over, try and be consistent in what I am doing, and the result will take care of itself”, Cornwall told this reporter.

Cornwall is regarded as one of the better off-spinners in the entire Caribbean. He lived up to that expectation in the 2018/2019 Regional 4-Day Tournament when he finished the series as the leading wicket-taker with 54 wickets taken in 9 matches. He has been a constant member of West Indies ‘A’ teams, and has played against different nations and recorded supreme performances.
His most recent ‘A’ team tour was against India ‘A’, against whom he scored two half-centuries in two matches and grabbed four wickets.
Cornwall explained that that series was a learning curve. “It was a next step towards international level, playing against India ‘A’ amongst players with Test experience. It was a good way to test my skill”, he said.
With West Indies Cricket in the hunt for a Test spinner, Cornwall may fill that void, being the off-spinner who offers a lot with the bat and having played 55 First Class matches in which he recorded 13 half-centuries and one century.
Cornwall’s bowling record is a supreme standout, his having bagged 260 wickets, inclusive of 17 five-wicket hauls and two ten-wicket hauls. Cornwall has an average of 23.90, an economy rate of 2.86, and a best bowling figure of 8-108. His best First Class match haul is 12-205, while he took one 10-wicket haul against Guyana Jaguars at the National Stadium at Providence.
Cornwall has said he is not setting himself any main goals, but would be looking to see how the Test system works. “I just want to go there, prove myself and do well, and make sure I put up a good showing in my first series,” he explained.
This big-hitting all-rounder would also be playing for the St Lucia Stars in the Hero Caribbean Premier League 2019. Shedding some light on that CPL tournament, Cornwall explained that he would be aiming to perform well in the Regional showpiece, since there is a World T20 tournament for Australia in the following year.
“Once you perform at CPL you will be eligible, you will give the selectors something to think about”, Cornwall explained.
This humble cricketer is expressing gratitude to all who have supported him in his journey thus far. His gratitude goes out to The Almighty, his parents, Coach Kenny Benjamin, and every other individual.