Star all-rounder Andre Russell has been called up to the West Indies ODI squad for the final two matches of the ongoing series against England.
Russell will replace the injured Kemar Roach in the West Indies squad for the fourth and fifth ODIs with the pacer sidelined with a stress reaction to the back.
Russell’s last ODI appearance for West Indies came against Bangladesh last year but the all-rounder has barely represented the national team in the format in recent times. The 30-year-old has 52 caps to his name in the format but has played just the solitary ODI against Bangladesh since 2015.
Russell recently returned from a knee-injury and is currently participating in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) where he is representing Multan Sultans. Recurring problems with his knee have meant that the all-rounder has had to reduce his bowling workload but his explosive batting down the order remains too big an asset to ignore for the West Indies.
BREAKING: Russell returns for 4th and 5th Colonial Medical Insurance ODIs!
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) February 25, 2019
See full squad: https://t.co/snXYvpSUao
Windies selection panel chairman Courtney Browne said, “We are well aware that although Andre’s bowling may be limited due to a knee problem, his tremendous batting ability to power the ball in the back end of the game will be an asset to the team.”
“Kemar Roach had to be withdrawn from the ODI series due to injury and will be replaced in the squad by the experienced Andre Russell for the last two matches. We believe Russell will add value to the squad,” Browne added.
While Russell will be delighted with his ODI call up just months before the World Cup in England, Multan Sultans will now have to make do without his services for some time in the PSL.
Russell is expected to join the Windies squad on Monday with the fourth ODI set to get underway on February 27 at Grenada. The final ODI will take place on March 2 at St. Lucia meaning Russell is set to miss Multan’s upcoming clashes against Islamabad United, Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators at the very least.
Russell had earlier been roped in as a replacement for Steve Smith by Multan Sultans after the Australian batsman injured his elbow in the Bangladesh Premier League.
