Barbados Royals all-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall delivered a stunning performance in the 2024 Caribbean Premier League (CPL), claiming a memorable five-wicket haul during his team’s decisive nine-wicket victory over the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots. His exceptional bowling figures of 5 for 16 earned him the Player of the Match award, showcasing his talent and resilience on the field.
Dominant Bowling Display
In the match held at Kensington Oval, Barbados Royals opted to bowl first after winning the toss. The decision paid off as Cornwall and his teammates dismantled the Patriots’ batting lineup. Naveen-ul-Haq set the tone by dismissing Evin Lewis and Kyle Mayers early in the powerplay, leaving the Patriots struggling at 16 for 2.
Cornwall then took center stage during the middle overs, striking twice with his first two deliveries. He dismissed skipper Andre Fletcher and Mikyle Louis, putting the Patriots further on the back foot. Despite conceding a six to Wanindu Hasaranga, Cornwall quickly bounced back to claim Hasaranga’s wicket shortly thereafter.
In a remarkable display of skill, Cornwall wrapped up his spell by taking the wickets of Odean Smith and Ryan John, marking his first five-wicket haul in T20 cricket. His efforts helped restrict the Patriots to a meager total of just 110 runs.
Watch the Match Winning Spell Here:
A Strong Response from Barbados Royals
Chasing a modest target, Quinton de Kock led from the front for Barbados Royals, scoring an unbeaten fifty as they comfortably reached the target with more than eight overs to spare. This victory marked Barbados Royals’ fifth win in six matches, solidifying their position at the top of the CPL 2024 table with 10 points.
Cornwall’s performance was particularly noteworthy given his rocky start to the tournament, where he had recorded three consecutive ducks while opening alongside de Kock. Prior to this match, he had struggled to find form after starting with a quickfire 34 against the Falcons.
Cornwall Reflects on His Performance
In the post-match presentation, Cornwall expressed satisfaction with his performance, stating that he simply backed himself and focused on placing the ball in good areas. He acknowledged the support from his teammates over the past four games and hoped that their efforts had given fans something to cheer about.
“Yeah, it was a good performance. I just backed myself and put the ball in good areas. I enjoyed every wicket and backed my skills. The team backed me as well. The support over the past four games has been massive. Hopefully, we have given them something to cheer,” Cornwall remarked.
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