Andre Russell returns to West Indies T20I squad after 2 years ahead of ICC T20 World Cup 2024

Andre Russell last played a T20I for West Indies way back in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021.

The Cricket West Indies (CWI), on December 10, 2023, have named all-rounder Andre Russell in the West Indies squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against England. This marks the return of Russell to West Indies fold after an absence of two years.

Russell, 35, has spent the past month in the United Arab Emirates, where his team Deccan Gladiators lost to the New York Strikers in the Abu Dhabi T10 final on Saturday. He will join the squad in Barbados this week, with the first T20I starting on Tuesday in Bridgetown.

Sherfane Rutherford, who hasn’t played a T20I in almost four years, has also been summoned by the selectors. Shai Hope, the ODI captain, has been appointed as Rovman Powell’s deputy. The selectors may make changes for the final two T20Is after choosing the 15-man roster for the first three games.

Matthew Forde, a young all-rounder who made his ODI debut against England in the final game, has been included in the T20I squad for the first time. Jason Holder, Nicholas Pooran, and Kyle Mayers have also been included after missing the ODI series.

“We have selected a squad that we think gives us the best chance of success”- Desmond Haynes

Gudakesh Motie has been returned to the squad after missing the previous India tour due to injury. He impressed with his left-arm spin in the second ODI against England in Antigua. Johnson Charles, Obed McCoy, Odean Smith, and Oshane Thomas are all sidelined after playing against India in August.

The five-match series against England, the defending T20 World Champions, is an important staging post for West Indies ahead of them co-hosting of the next year’s T20 World Cup, alongside the USA, in June and July 2024.

“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. We have selected a squad that we think gives us the best chance of success in that tournament. We will continue to assess in the lead-up to the competition,” Desmond Haynes, CWI’s lead selector, said.

Changes could be made for the final two T20Is with the selectors naming the 15-member squad for the first three games. The series kicks off on December 12 in Barbados.

West Indies squad 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

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