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Andre Russell Returns To West Indies' Squad After A Two-Year Leap

image-lpyzzogbAndre Russell last played for West Indies at 2021 T20 World Cup (Twitter)

Power-hitting giant Andre Russell has made a comeback to West Indies' T20I squad set to lock horns with visitors England in a five-match series starting Tuesday (December 12). 

The experienced West Indies all-rounder, who last played internationally at the T20 World Cup 2021 in UAE, is part of the 15-member squad picked to face-off against the defending champions. 

While unavailable for West Indies selection for the past two years, Russell has been an active professional T20 league player across the world and was one of the key players missing when the two-time champions suffered a disastrous preliminary round exit in Australia last winter. 

Administrative issues combining forces with Russell's own growing domestic T20 commitments and preferences had played a barrier to his involvement for the region. However, Russell now seems keen to be back and could be integral to West Indies' build-up and planning towards the home T20 World Cup next June. 


Russell Named In West Indies' T20I Squad 

The 35-year-old will be heading to the England series with ample enough game time under his belt after taking part in the just-concluded Abu Dhabi T10 for Deccan Gladiators, which lost the tournament final on Saturday (December 9) to New York Strikers. 

He will link up with the rest of the Rovman Powell-led T20I outfit along with Sherfane Rutherford, another comeback man, who is back in the plans for the first time since 2020. 

The selectors have brought in left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie in the T20I squad after impressive showings in West Indies' 2-1 ODI series triumph. 

Nicholas Pooran and Jason Holder, who were unable for selection for the ODI series versus England, also make their return to the international stage. 

"This will be the final home T20I series for the West Indies in 2023, as they prepare to be one of the two host teams for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA in June 2024," Desmond Haynes, CWI's lead selector, said in a media release. 


West Indies squad for T20Is vs ENG

Rovman Powell (capt), Shai Hope (vc), Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder,Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd