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'Absolute weapon': 140kg fan favourite's freak catch stuns England

riley morgan
Sports Reporter
·4-min read
Rahkeem Cornwall taking a sensational catch at slip (pictured left) and getting ready to take a catch (pictured right).
Rahkeem Cornwall took a sensational catch at slip against England in the Third Test. (Images: Sky Sports/Getty Images)

West Indies cult-hero Rahkeem Cornwall has shown why he is adored around the world with a mesmerising catch at first slip, while fashioning a new look, in the third Test against England.

Cornwall has garnered fan favourite status for his bulky build - just shy of 140kg- laid back approach and incredible feats of athleticism.

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And it comes as no surprise fans were delighted to see him included in the line-up for the deciding Test against England at Old Trafford and he did not disappoint.

Cornwall was fielding at slip as England were struggling at 3-122 when Rory Burns, having just past 50, attempted to glance West Indian spinner Chase’s delivery down to third man.

But the ball hit the top edge and flew off the bat and even though Cornwall was travelling to his left, he threw out his right hand and held on to a freak catch.

What made the catch even better was Cornwall was sporting two West Indian hats at slip.

Cornwall then went on to bowl some off-spin, completing one of his overs in just 89 seconds.

The West Indian star’s performance had social media in a twist.

England recover as bad light holds play

With star all-rounder Ben Stokes not fit enough to play a full part with the ball at Old Trafford on Friday, England gambled on the balance of their team - dropping batsman Zak Crawley to make room of an extra bowler.

At 3-92 it looked as though their boldness could backfire, with man-of-the-moment Stokes, his fellow second Test centurion Dom Sibley and captain Joe Root all back in the pavilion.

But Rory Burns steadied the ship with 57 before the evening session saw Pope reel off a wonderful 91 not out to lead England to 4-258.

At lunch England were going nowhere fast on 2-66.

Burns and Stokes began to lift in the afternoon, looking settled until Roach intervened. He unleashed three short balls at Stokes, hitting him on the helmet with the second, before nipping one in off the pitch and flattening the stumps.

Jos Buttler of England celebrates his half century during Day One of the Third Test.
Jos Buttler of England celebrates his half century during Day One of the Third Test. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images for ECB)

Stokes' departure for 20 was a crucial breakthrough. Pope was also hit on the helmet by Roach but made it to tea despite losing Burns. Chase bowled and Rahkeem Cornwall's plucked out a sensational one-handed catch.

At 4-131 it was in the balance and England might succumbed had Pope been caught for 30, top-edging Gabriel for Chase to miss the catch.

Pope then took control, moving to his half-century in a flurry of boundaries. Buttler, having ground to 18, proceeded to go hard at Cornwall, heaving two sixes over wide long-on in the space of four deliveries.

That took England past 200 with Pope brushing off another lbw referral on 70, while Buttler brought up his own half-century in 104 balls before gloomy conditions brought an early end.

With AAP