RICKET superstar Andre Russell says he is willing to pass up some franchise league engagements to allow him to play for West Indies ahead of the Twenty20 (T20) World Cup next year.

The 35-year-old all-rounder, one of the most sought-after players in franchise cricket, last played for the West Indies during their disappointing T20 World Cup campaign in the United Arab Emirates and Oman in 2021.

Last summer, West Indies Lead Selector Desmond Haynes and former Head Coach Phil Simmons, in response to questions about absent elite players for series against Bangladesh, India and New Zealand, had noted that the lure of lucrative leagues at times creates a dilemma for the region's best players.

"I am available. I want to be a part of the next World Cup so that would be something special to me if they can add me to the squad," he told the Jamaica Observer.

Read more at Jamaica Observer

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Too late now…your best days are over, and when we really needed you making millions was your priority

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com

ICC tournament always lucrative.... please stay where you and your brethren are.....he should have made himself available for Qualifiers ODI....

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com

If ah laugh ah fart mercenary blood money

One thing about Russell is that he is predictable. As soon as a big tournament is around the corner he automatically becomes available for West Indies selection. In all other tournamnents he is magically injured only to recover in time for the next 20/20 league.

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com
Another Chris Gayle. Now that his best cricketing days are behind him he is available for the West Indies. It's as if these guys are saying the people of the West Indies do not deserve better. All the people of WI been asking for is for these guys to manage their careers in a way where they, maybe, forego a little of the millions and give a little of their ability to
their home and family - the West Indies. It's been no no no until now when you're worth little or nothing cricketwise. Forget it!

In reply to rhatid

Another Chris Gayle.

Gayle played the Qualifiers in 2018.... enabling West Indies to qualify for 2019 ODI World Cup.... don't compare cheese and chalk

In reply to Onionman0
Chris Gayle abandoned the West Indies in his heydays. He only came back when he realized his value in franchise cricket had plummeted. And while his actions might not have been as egregious as Russell's, there's really very little difference between them.

go Russ

In reply to Onionman0
you can read some mind-boggling stuff here smh.
Anyway to compare wounded knees to CHG is sacrilege in every respect.
Before and the early days of HHGS Chris Gayle missed only two important WI
commitments, some double-wicket stuff eons ago and when he had to return home
from Oz for his Moms illness. He was dropped for The Paki ODI's in 2011! Then,
to the chagrin of many he fought tooth and nail to ensure they had to pick him again.
Man had to cut short his IPL commitment to join WI in Northern England early April.

In reply to Onionman0
you can read some mind-boggling stuff here smh.
Anyway to compare wounded knees to CHG is sacrilege in every respect.
Before and the early days of HHGS Chris Gayle missed only two important WI
commitments, some double-wicket stuff eons ago and when he had to return home
from Oz for his Moms illness. He was dropped for The Paki ODI's in 2011! Then,
to the chagrin of many he fought tooth and nail to ensure they had to pick him again.
Man had to cut short his IPL commitment to join WI in Northern England early April.

In reply to rhatid

Chris Gayle abandoned the West Indies in his heydays.

Fall out with CWI...Sammy made captain...he played test under Sammy... scored triple
...played pivotal role against New Zealand... series victory at home...

Russell on the other hand... please specify..

Interestingly, just last week, some people on this MB wanted to discard all 32 to 34 -year-old players and would accept A thirty-five-year-

old Russell back into the team. Oh well, "different strokes for different folks."

This guy is a joke. Before every ICC tournament, he comes doing begging to play

In reply to Brerzerk

Agree...

Russell should have made himself available for Qualifiers, if at all he has any love for Caribbean Cricket.....if West Indies had qualified for 2023 ODI World Cup....

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com

Another washup skunt

In reply to Brerzerk

Yeah but when his value in the ipl rose, he quickly relegated West Indies to second place

In an effort to bring back some sanity to our game, WIC and the six regional boards in Barbados, Trinidad, Jamaica, Guyana, Leewards and Windwards must work together to take some serious decisions. They must decide that all of our cricketers MUST play at least three games of all three formats in our domestic competition. Those who refuse to play at least three games of our four day regional competition cannot participate in the CPL
2. All players should have an equal opportunity to represent WI in all three formats
3. We should have a selector from each of the six territories selecting a West Indies team. It can’t be right to have two Bajans or two Guyanese picking a West Indies team. All selectors must be a selector of his territory. I say that because when I look at the two matches I saw from Alick Arthanaze in the UAE ODI and the recent test, I conclude that the only reason this young talented player is only now playing for West Indies is because he is not from one of those so called big islands. So let’s bring a selector from each territory so none of our talents will be left out

Where is the sacrifice?

The popular opinion is that the mercenaries set a personal bank account target when that is achieved they offer themselves to West Indies. Fact is the mercenaries performance in maroon has proven to be poorer than the non-mercenaries.

If Haynes and Sammy pick Russell they need to be fired.


Russell your best days are over. Keep the rest WI doesn't need it

what is the fcucking sacrifice?

His most productive years, he chased T20 leagues around the world. Just check his Cricinfo and see the number of teams he's played for.

Then check the number of years he's been an active cricketer

Lastly, check the number of games he's played for the west Indies

The man is an opportunistic selfish jackass. before every World Cup, he shows up begging to be a part of the West Indies, and then conveniently disappears when there is no ICC event on the horizon

Seriously, if they pick him, I am done with Sammy and team. FYI, I have defended the Sammy appointment and feel he's the best person for the job currently, but if he was to resort to picking Russell and co, then its over

Yup...he has been doing that for a decade.He just wants to be on the world stage so he can up his 20/20 market price. He is the most selfish of the lot. At leaset we know that Narine is running and hiding from the ICC umpires as part fo the reason he won play world tournaments. With Russel is all selfishness.

Oh stop it all of you!


Playing for West Indies is some gilded treasure now???

Be grateful for whoever could cause 2 more people to care to show up to watch
What you all really protecting stewwwwps…still???


That said, Russell is terribly out of form and fitness, physically and mentally for cricket.