West Indies all-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall had a truly frightening experience during the National Cricket T10 League 2025 eliminator between Atlanta Kings CC and Los Angeles Waves CC at the University of Texas, Dallas, on Sunday. The incident, which could have been far more severe, left everyone stunned. A sharp bouncer delivered by Waves bowler Rumman Raees struck Cornwall’s helmet grill with such force that the ball became dangerously lodged between the bars, alarmingly close to his eye.
For a tense few moments, play came to a halt as players and officials rushed to check on Cornwall. The opposition wicketkeeper was seen frantically signaling for medical help, fearing the worst. Thankfully, the helmet’s protective design held firm, preventing what could have been a catastrophic injury. The video of this freak accident quickly circulated on social media, with fans expressing disbelief at how close the 32-year-old came to a brutal injury. The ball was visibly jammed into the grill without piercing it, and Cornwall himself had to pry it out. After realizing his fortunate escape, he even managed a light chuckle.
Despite the scare, Cornwall, who had been batting confidently, retired out after scoring 17 runs off 14 balls. Unfortunately, his team, the Atlanta Kings, couldn’t reach their target, managing only 62 for 9 in their 10 overs. The Los Angeles Waves secured a 34-run victory, having posted a total of 96 for 7 wickets.
The relief among fans and players was palpable, especially evident in Raees’ concerned reaction as he immediately went to check on the batter. This alarming incident has once again highlighted the critical importance of helmet safety and the incredibly fine margins that distinguish a close call from a potentially life-altering injury in the sport of cricket.