West Indies all-rounder and T20 great, Andre Russell, has announced his retirement from international cricket, with his final two games set for Sabina Park on July 20 and 22.
The 37-year-old has been included in West Indies' squad to face Australia in a five-match T20 series beginning on Sunday, but will only play the first two games in Jamaica, which are at Russell's home ground. The second of those games will be his farewell to international cricket, but he is expected to continue to play in franchises around the world.
Russell has played only T20Is for West Indies since 2019, but he is capped across all three formats. He played 56 ODIs across his career and earned one Test cap, which came against Sri Lanka in 2010. He will finish his career with 143 international caps. With his retirement coming only seven months out from next year's T20 World Cup and less than two months after Nicholas Pooran's retirement, West Indies will have to find replacements for both high profile players against the clock.
Among Russell's career highlights is the West Indies' T20 World Cup victory in 2016. The Jamaican played a starring role in the memorable final of that tournament, taking the new ball and dismissing Alex Hales in the second over of the game. He was also part of the squad which won the T20 World Cup in 2012, beating Sri Lanka in the final.
Russell: “Words cannot explain what it meant”
Speaking on his 15-year international career, Russell said in a statement: “Words cannot explain what it meant. To represent the West Indies has been one of the proudest achievements in my life. When I was a kid, I did not expect to get to this level, but the more you start to play and get to love the sport, you realise what you can achieve. This inspired me to become better because I wanted to leave a mark in the maroon colours and become an inspiration to others.
“I love playing for the West Indies and I love playing at home in front of my family and friends where I get to showcase my talent and produce more high-quality performances. I want to finish my international career on a high while being a role model for the next generation of cricketers coming out of the Caribbean.”
Matthew Forde will replace Russell in the squad after he bows out in the second game, as the series moves on to St Kitts. Elsewhere in West Indies' squad to face Australia, teenager Jewel Andrew has earned his maiden call-up to senior international cricket, after he became the youngest West Indies player to score a half-century in a major T20 league, doing so in last year's CPL.
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