Myth #1: “He's only famous because of his size.”

 

Cornwall is indeed the tallest, at 6'6″, and he is the heaviest player ever to play Test cricket at over 300 pounds. That's just a footnote, however, for his national side. He was made because of his performance; in the last five seasons, he has taken 40 wicket in every first-class season before the international selectors called.

 

Myth #2: "His Body Type Is a Weakness on the Field"

 

The reverse is more the case. Injured Person's Corner: Rahkeem Cornwall's height allows him to only drop the ball from more than two meters, and that bounce is unusual and hard for most off-spinners to duplicate. It's not something that he's bad at, it's a thing that he's good at, and it's something that has troubled international veterans.

 

Myth #3: “He’s just a bowler who bats a little.”

 

Cornwall has proven to be a well-rounded player. He's also a work-rate batsman who has shown an ability to knock the ball over the bar with ease, and can be lethal in T20 powerplays. He has also established a reputation as a reliable slip fielder – and on one occasion, a one-handed catch against England which many had not thought was in his line of vision.

 

Myth #4: "He Was an Overnight Sensation"

 

It does not appear that it was an overnight success as he has been around for a long time. Cornwall was born in 1993 in Liberta, Antigua, where his maternal uncle was named Wilden Cornwall and played 53 first-class matches prior to him. Having worked for many years at the national level, Rahkeem got his first taste of Test cricket in August 2019 when Roston Chase was injured and a place on the list was awarded to Rahkeem for the Leeward Islands, Antigua Hawksbills, Saint Lucia Zouks/Kings and Barbados Royals.

 

Myth #5: “His Test debut was unremarkable”

 

Far from it. Cornwall ended one of the most technically able spinsters in the world at the time's Cheteshwar Pujara in his maiden Test match. The same year, he was named Domestic Cricketer of the Year by Cricket West Indies, which was no accident of his consistent performances known for many years.

 

The Reality

 

It's not that Rahkeem Cornwall is an exception who just landed his break. He is an accomplished and versatile cricketer whose unusual style is certainly proving to be an advantage and not a disadvantage. Cricket's emphasis on athleticism has been his career, and it's a testament to the fact that talent never goes out of style.