The West Indies off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall recorded his career-best figures (7-75) to help his side bundle out Afghanistan for a paltry 187 on the opening day of the lone Test in Lucknow on Wednesday.
Cornwall spun a web around the Afghanistan batsmen on a turning track to bowl them out in 68.3 overs after the Windies skipper Jason Holder won the toss and opted to field.
At stumps, WI were 68 for two in 22 overs, still trailing Afghanistan by 119 runs.
Stumps on day one of #AFGVWI!
West Indies finish the day 68/2, Rahkeem Cornwall the star taking 7/75 for his side. pic.twitter.com/83pacxsftO
— ICC (@ICC) November 27, 2019
Afghanistan were at one stage 84 for one and looked solid going into lunch. Cornwall had struck early but had to endure a frustrating time as Ihsanullah Janat, and Javed Ahmadi built the innings. The Afghans slipped to 90 for three at lunch before Cornwall turned the game on its head.
In the second session, Cornwall dismantled the middle-order to leave Afghanistan reeling.
“I have to cherish this day. I will remember it for the rest of my life and look to keep getting performances like this as the journey goes on,” the ‘Mountain Man’ said after the end of day’s play.
Rahkeem Cornwall is rightly a happy man! pic.twitter.com/nXW3DpMEpH
— ICC (@ICC) November 27, 2019
“It was a special day… not just the way I bowled but for some of the catches as well – by the captain at leg slip and Shai with two sharp one at slip. I still see myself as a batting allrounder… so the wickets are a bonus. I will look to get some runs when I bat as well.”
Cornwall also credited bowling coach Roddy Estwick for his bowling discipline. “I was just looking to put the ball in the right areas and do what the captain asked of me. I just tried to stay as balanced as possible, which is something I spoke a lot about with Roddy Estwick,” he pointed out.
“We decided to bowl first, as the captain has said earlier, that there was some moisture in the first hour. It is turning a lot, but once the ball turns a little softer and older, it’s not as much, so I had to use my variations.”
While Cornwall’s height is understood to be a natural advantage to his craft, he continued to underplay the height factor.
“The captain gives me an attacking field, so I made sure I bowl to my field. I was getting a good purchase,” he said. “I don’t think it (the height) is an advantage. I think that it’s my natural talent. I just have to keep working on my game and see how far it can take me.”
