NORTH SOUND, Antigua, CMC – Off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall says he wants to use the Sri Lanka Test series to showcase the quality of his batting.
The 28-year-old’s primary role in the squad is that of a bowler but with one first class and four List A centuries to his name, he is already considered an all-rounder at the regional domestic level.
However, having scored only 39 runs from nine innings in his five Tests to date, Cornwall sees the pending series as an ideal opportunity to finally make his mark.
“I’m putting in the work in the nets. I’m trying to get my batting where it’s supposed to be,” Cornwall said.
“I think I’m a good capable batsman [but] I just haven’t shown it as yet on the international scene so I think now is the time. It’s the perfect opportunity at home to showcase what my batting can do.”
The Antiguan is one of two specialist spinners in the West Indies squad for the first Test which bowls off at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium here Sunday.
He was outstanding on the recent tour of Bangladesh last month when he picked up 14 wickets to lead the West Indies attack, as the visitors pulled off an emphatic 2-0 win in the series.
And having played only a single Test in the Caribbean so far, Cornwall says he welcomes the opportunity to perform in familiar conditions.
“It’s always good to represent your country … I will be playing for West Indies and Antigua and I know the support will be there for me,” Cornwall explained.
“It’s a good surface. Probably from the third day it will start to help me a bit. It’s a track that offers spin later down in the Test match so hopefully we can carry the game as deep as possible.”
Cornwall has already taken 27 wickets from his five Tests, including two five-wicket hauls, and said consistency remained the key to his success.
“It’s about consistency,” he stressed. “Once I can do that over a period of time, I think the wickets will come and the results really show. So I just have to be as consistent as much as possible.”
