By Neto Baptiste
West Indies spinning all-rounder, Rahkeem Cornwall, hopes he could continue to deliver with the bat following two half centuries in the team’s recent Test series against Sri Lanka here at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.
Speaking with Observer media on Tuesday, Cornwall said he was happy to finally deliver with the bat, adding that it came at time when the team needed it most.
“Playing my first Test match at home is always a special moment and getting my first half century in international cricket. I thought it was time I really show what I could do with the bat and start to live up to my expectations. I just knew that the team was in a critical position and I had to stand up and bat and I just backed myself and my ability and put runs on the board,” he said.
Cornwall slammed nine fours and two sixes on his way to 61 from 85 deliveries, getting to his maiden half century on home soil while, in the second Test, the Antiguan reached 73 from 92 balls. His knock in that match included 10 fours and one six.
The Antigua and Leeward Islands player said he was hoping to score a century but believes that in time, he will achieve the milestone.
“It would be good if I could have gone on a get a hundred [in the second Test] but I just wanted to bat and see how far I could go or get to the hundred which would be a great achievement to me but I think I gave it away by playing a loose stroke just before lunch,” Cornwall said.
The player however did not have much luck with the ball, claiming only three wickets in the two Tests. He bowled a total of 57.3 overs across the two Tests.
The Liberta Blackhawks player said conditions were not always conducive to spin.
“The pitch wasn’t conducive really for my style of bowling. There was not much turn but I just tried to be consistent and put the balls in the right areas for a long periods. I didn’t get much success with the ball but I think I did a good job for my team still,” he said. Both Test matches ended in draws but West Indies claimed both the T20 and ODI series.