By Samuel Peters
Leeward Islands Hurricanes Captain Rahkeem Cornwall ended the 2024 CG United Super 50 Tournament as the competition’s highest wicket taker with 23 scalps at an incredible average of 11.82 per wicket and with two five wicket hauls and a best of 6-20 versus the Combined Colleges and Campuses.
Despite his team crashing out of the semifinals on Thursday, the tall burly figure of Cornwall played an integral part to helping his team to book their spot in the semifinals. He starred with both bat and ball against the CCC collecting six for 20 and slamming a whirlwind unbeaten 84 which included 76 runs of boundaries (8 fours and 7 sixes). He met his team struggling at 51 for four which quickly turned to 68 for six but found a reliable partner in Jeremiah Louis who held the fort at the other end for a patient knock of 12. The two were able to lead the Hurricanes to the target of 152 reaching 154 for six.
On Thursday, the Leeward Islands seemed to have had their semifinal encounter in the bag with Jamaica Scorpions tethering at 138 for seven, until an eighth wicket stand of 124 between Javelle Glenn and Jeavor Royal restored hope in the Jamaican camp. The Scorpions eventually got to 352 for nine from their allotted 50 overs, setting the Hurricanes a difficult chase. The men from the Leeward Islands showed some fight but with the steady loss of wickets they ultimately capitulated to 245 all out losing by 107 runs.
His fellow Liberta Blackhawks teammates, Hayden Walsh Jr and Kofi James also made significant
contributions to the Hurricanes as Walsh Jr collected 11 wickets at an average of 14.54 while James scored the third most runs for the Hurricanes with a tally of 144 averaging 36. The team will now prepare for the CWI Regional Four Day Competition which is expected to commence in January 2025.
