West Indies picked hard-hitting all-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall for the Test series against India.

Cornwall made headlines early in his career for his size and was kept out of top level cricket due to weight and fitness issues. After starting off at more than 140 kilos, Corwall has shed the pounds and after consistent performances for the West Indies ‘A’ team and first-class cricket, the off-spinning all-rounder has been selected to play the two-Test series against the Indians that follows the ongoing ODI series.

Cornwall played four one-day and two four-day games against India ‘A’ and performed well. He failed to pick up a wicket in just two out of eight outings and hit two fifties in the red-ball games.

Cornwall has 260 wickets from 55 first-class games and was the leading bowler in the recent regional four-day tournament.

“Rahkeem has been performing consistently over a long period of time and has proven to be a match-winner, so we believe his elevation to the Test squad is merited at this time,” Robert Haynes, the head of the interim selection panel, said.

“We believe he can provide an attacking option to our bowling attack with his sharp turn and extra bounce. He can also lend a bit of depth to the batting, so we are looking forward to him coming into the squad and making a valuable contribution.”

The selectors retained most of the squad that registered a stunning 2-1 Test series win over England earlier this year in the Caribbean, apart from injured fast bowler Alzarri Joseph and left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican.

West Indies ‘A’ captain Shamarh Brooks is the only other uncapped player in the squad, apart from Cornwall.

WI Test squad: Jason Holder (c), Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, John Campbell, Roston Chase, Rahkeem Cornwall, Shane Dowrich (wk), Shannon Gabriel, Shimron Hetmyer Shai Hope, Keemo Paul, Kemar Roach