West Indies recall Andre Russell for T20 ‘X’ factor against South Africa

All-rounder Andre Russell is the only addition to West Indies’ T20 International Team which beat Sri Lanka 2-1 in February, as the defending T20 world Cup champions face South Africa from 2pm on Saturday at the Grenada National Stadium in the first of two CG Insurance T20 Internationals (T20I).

Fully vaccinated fans can purchase tickets for the game at EC$500.

The 33-year-old Russell lifted the T20 World Cup with West Indies in 2012 and 2016 and has played 49 T20Is for the ‘Maroon Men’. However, he has not featured for the regional team since an outing against Sri Lanka in Pallekele in March last year.

“Andre Russell will add that ‘X’ factor to the team,” lead selector Roger Harper told the CWI Media. “He is an impact player with both bat and ball and lends greater depth in both departments. The aim is to build on the performance against Sri Lanka earlier this year, to build confidence, while determining our best squad and team as we run into the ICC T20 World Cup.”

The hosts are captained by Kieron Pollard and is largely unchanged, with Akeal Hosein and Rovman Powell being the only omissions from the team that edged Sri Lanka earlier this year.

(West Indies T20 Team)

Kieron Pollard (captain), Nicholas Pooran (vice-captain), Fabian Allen, Dwayne Bravo, Fidel Edwards, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Jason Holder, Evin Lewis, Obed McCoy, Andre Russell, Lendl Simmons, Kevin Sinclair.