ZCZC
BSP-24
CRICKET-AFG-WIS
Giant Cornwall strikes as W. Indies take the lead in Afghanistan Test
LUCKNOW, India, Nov 27, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Rahkeem Cornwall, the heaviest
man in Test cricket, took seven wickets as West Indies skittled out
Afghanistan for 187 on the first day of their one-off Test on Wednesday.
West Indies reached 68-2 at the end of the day, further boosting captain
Jason Holder’s decision to send Afghanistan in to bat at their “home” ground
in the Indian city of Lucknow which was engulfed in dangerous levels of air
pollution.
The 26-year-old Cornwall, who hits about 140 kilograms (308 pounds) on the
scales and is 1.96 metres (six feet five inches) tall, packed a heavyweight
punch with his off-spin.
“I was just looking to put the ball in the right areas. Just try to stay
as balanced as possible,” Cornwall said at the end of the day in which his
seven for 75 haul was the best for a West Indies spinner in nearly five
decades.
Ibrahim Zadran was the first to fall with the score on 28, caught by
Holder for 17 at leg slip attempting a sweep off Cornwall.
Javed Ahmadi made 39, including a six and five fours, before he was caught
by Shamarh Brooks at deep long-off from a Jomel Warrican delivery with the
score on 84.
Ihsanullah became Cornwall’s second victim when he edged a forward prod to
Shai Hope at slip to be out for 24 just before lunch.
Afghanistan struggled to generate momentum after the break, with Cornwall
claiming three more victims as Rahmat Shah and Asghar Afghan managed just
four runs and Nasir Jamal two.
Afsar Zazai fared better, reaching 32 before Cornwall grabbed his sixth
wicket in the last ball before tea and his seventh when Yamin Ahmadzai fell
for 18.
Afghanistan’s spinners struck early when Amir Hamza and Rashid Khan picked
up Kraigg Brathwaite and Shai Hope, before John Campbell and Shamarh Brooks
steadied the ship.
Afghanistan, who were awarded Test status in 2017, picked two debutants in
their starting eleven — middle-order batsman Nasir Jamal and left-arm
spinner Amir Hamza.
The Afghans claimed their maiden Test victory in March when they beat
fellow newcomers Ireland before defeating Bangladesh in September.
BSS/AFP/BZC/1905HRS