West Indian 'mountain' Rahkeem Cornwall gradually reducing his body weight: CWI

Mumbai: Cricket West Indies (CWI) board selectors have included Rahkeem Cornwall in the squad for the Test series against India beginning on August 22.

Rahkeem Cornwall is the heaviest international cricketer, according to the renowned Indian cricket statistician Mohandas Menon.

The 26-year-old Antigua-born all-rounder is being under the care of a special team to be physically fit, according to Ricky Skerritt, the president of the CWI.

Speaking exclusively over the telephone, he said, "Rahkeem has been under the supervision of a CWI appointed Strength & Conditioning (S&C) trainer, nutritionist and coach. He has been managed off of a concerted plan in which we are gradually reducing his weight and improving his fitness while allowing him to play competitively".

"He has been the most successful spinner in our first-class professional league and has earned his selection by taking many wickets at an economical rate", he further added.

"The 26-year-old Antiguan all-rounder (an offie) Rahkeem Cornwall is in the West Indian squad for the first Test against India. At 140 kgs, he could be the heaviest ever Test cricketer. Former Australian captain in the 1920s Warwick Armstrong was around 22 stones (139 kgs)", Mohandas Menon said.