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Russell brings a whiff of hope for WI
For a West Indies team looking to grab any fresh talent that comes its way, Andre Russell brings oodles of Jamaican flair. HT reports.
For a West Indies team looking to grab any fresh talent that comes its way, Andre Russell brings oodles of Jamaican flair.
As he produced a stunning assault on the Indian bowlers on Saturday, some of his hits reminded one of his fellow Jamaican, Chris Gayle.
He belied the fact that he came in at number nine, bowled a sharp opening spell to tie down the Indian openers, produced a catch, a run-out and a wicket. It was hard not to feel for Russell after he ended on the losing side.
Russell was not in the first two games against India but replaced leg-spinner Anthony Martin and made a big impact on Saturday.
“I was not nervous. I even ran all the way to the crease,” he said. “It was very important for me to express myself against a team like India.”
Russell still sees himself as a bowling all-rounder. “This is the best innings I've played because it came against India.”
A schoolboy sprinter who became Jamaican Under-17 national football team goalkeeper, he was discovered by West Indies coach Ottis Gibson and fast-tracked into the national side.
