By and large the days of top-level cricket being a haven for the portly are gone, replaced by professional athleticism and Health & Fitness cover bodies that go with it.
But every once in a while someone shows up to buck the trend in magnificent fashion, casually reminding us all that the blessed game of cricket is a true everyman’s game.
Pre-weight loss Shane Warne famously got cases of baked beans shipped over to India during subcontinental tours, because he’d rather suck off a tin of Heinz and be a farty menace than roll the dice on bowling post-vindaloo. Legend has it that current Australian coach Darren Lehmann used to drive between Australian cities while representing the country so he could punch darts at will en route.
The West Indies have just lifted the cloche on their latest secret weapon: A 200cm-tall, 140kg monster by the name of Rahkeem Cornwall whose sole apparent purpose in life is to maul English bowling attacks.
Cornwall, whose name sounds like the imported destroyer defending a medieval castle, made his debut in West Indian maroon as part of a Presidents’ XI that took on the visiting England side ahead of their upcoming ODI series against the Caribbean nations.
Ordinarily an off-spinner, the Big Mahn hammered the English bowling attack for 59 off 61 balls, clearing the rope on 3 occasions.
And did we mention he’s bloody huge? Check this size comparison.
It’s like a Great Dane toying with a Jack Russell.
Old mate can seriously play, too. Here he is back on February 8th bashing 74 off 50 representing Leeward Islands in the West Indian domestic ODI competition.
The 24-year-old is considered a rising talent and a contender for international selection, but officials are working with him to get his weight under control first. West Indian chairman of selectors Courtney Browne explains it thusly:
“We’re actually putting a program in place for Rahkeem where we are actually going to have someone to manage him overall.”
“We are looking at the various components of him playing cricket where we are looking at coaches, dieticians, and just getting everybody to come together to help this young player because he’s a special talent.”
If he can get his body in check, bloody hell look out world cricket.
Imagine trying to bowl to that bloke. You’d have to hit him on the ankle to get an LBW.
Source: Fox Sports.
Photo: Gareth Copley/Getty.
