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West Indies international, Rahkeem Cornwall delivered a stellar performance during Barbados Royals’ match against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados in CPL 2024. The Royals all-rounder picked up a memorable five-wicket haul, helping the side to register their fifth win from six matches in the T20 tournament.
Earlier in the match, the Rovman Powell-led side won the toss and invited the Andre Fletcher-led side to put the score first on the board. The captain top-scored for the side with a 22-ball 32, helping them post mere 111-run target. None of the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots batters could breach the 50-run mark as they were depleted to 110 in 19.1 overs, courtesy a five-wicket haul from Cornwall.
Cornwall registers career best figures; finishes with 5/16 in four-over spell
After putting St Kitts and Nevis Patriots to bat first, the side received early blows with Lewis and Kyle Mayers departing inside the powerplay. Rahkeem Cornwall, who was introduced into the attack in the eighth over, got his first wicket on the very first delivery as he dismissed Andre Fletcher.
He then completed two-in-two as he dismissed Mikyle Louis on a golden duck. The 31-year-old was then smashed for a six by the new batter on the crease in Sri Lanka all-rounder, Wanindu Hasaranga. However, his stay was short lived too as Cornwall picked his wicket in his next over to complete a three-fer. He then recorded his career best figures, claiming his fourth wicket in the 12th over as he dismissed Odean Smith.
Watch Rahkeem Cornwall's first CPL 2024 wicket here:
Notably, Cornwall picked his first five-wicket haul of his T20 career and also his first wicket (Andre Fletcher) in CPL 2024 season on Wednesday, September 18. He finished with the figures of 5/16 in his four-over spell.
I just backed myself and put the ball in right areas: Rahkeem Cornwall
The 31-year-old delivered smiles in the camp as he helped the Royals restrict St Kitts and Nevis Patriots for a score of 110/10 in 19.1 overs. While he was the wrecker-in-chief in Patriots collapse, his teammate and wicketkeeper-batter, Quinton de Kock delivered match-winning performance with the bat to help the Royals get their fifth win in 11.2 overs.
“Yeah it was a good performance. I just backed myself and put the ball in right areas,” Cornwall said after winning the Player of the Match award. When asked of his favourite wicket, Cornwall replied, “Nothing like that, I enjoyed all the wickets, you don’t get five wickets everyday. I backed myself and the team backed me as well. We have a good unit, the boys are playing well together and we will see how far we can go. The support for us was really good and we gave them something to cheer about.”
With this win, Barbados Royals have consolidated their position on the top of the points table with 10 points in six matches, having won five and losing one match so far. The Rovman Powell-led side will next take on Saint Lucia Kings at the Providence Stadium in Guyana on Saturday, September 21.
