West Indies’ Rahkeem Cornwall, already known as the heaviest cricketer in Test history, has once again made headlines. This time, it’s for his exceptional bowling in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2024. Known for his massive build and unique presence on the field, Cornwall shattered records with a jaw-dropping performance for Barbados Royals against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots. His powerful bowling figures of 5 wickets for just 16 runs are now his career-best in T20 cricket.
Rahkeem Cornwall – Breaking a 99-Year-Old Record
Rahkeem Cornwall entered the world of international cricket in 2019 and immediately became the world’s heaviest Test cricketer. Weighing 140 kg, Cornwall surpassed the record held by former Australian captain Warwick Armstrong, who weighed 139 kg and played in 1920. Though much of his fame initially came due to his size, Cornwall is proving his worth with his remarkable cricketing skills.
Dominating Performance in CPL 2024: Five Wickets in Four Overs
Cornwall’s performance against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots on 17 September 2024 was nothing short of phenomenal. He took 5 wickets for just 16 runs in 4 overs, maintaining a low economy rate of 4. His performance was the best of his T20 career, marking the first time he had taken 5 wickets in a T20 match. Earlier, his best bowling figure in T20 cricket was 3 wickets for 10 runs.
Consistent Wicket Taker: No Over Went Wicketless
What made Cornwall’s performance even more special was his consistency throughout the match. He took wickets in each over he bowled, including two consecutive wickets in one of the overs. His ability to consistently break the opposition’s batting line-up ensured that St Kitts and Nevis Patriots never gained momentum.
Total Collapse of St Kitts’ Batting Line-up
Rahkeem Cornwall’s brilliant spell left the St Kitts team reeling. Due to his devastating bowling, they could only manage 110 runs in 19.1 overs, with half their team falling to Cornwall alone. His contribution made it easy for the Barbados Royals, who were chasing a simple target of 111 runs.
Rahkeem Cornwall’s CPL Career Now Boasts 35 Wickets
This game was Cornwall’s fifth match of CPL 2024, and in just his third bowling innings of the season, he picked up a stunning 5 wickets. With this performance, Cornwall’s overall wicket tally in his CPL career has now reached 35 wickets.
A New Milestone in T20 Career
This five-wicket haul is the latest achievement for Cornwall in a format where he’s primarily known for his power-hitting and all-round abilities. His performance has set a new standard in his T20 career and added another dimension to his role in the Barbados Royals team.
Cornwall’s dominance on the field, despite his unusual build, continues to make him one of the most interesting players in world cricket.