Andre Russell will bid farewell to international cricket after playing the first two T20s of the series against Australia in his home ground Jamaica.
The experienced all-rounder returns to the West Indies T20 squad, while young batter Jewel Andrew and left-arm pacer Jediah Blades earn their maiden call-ups.
Cricket West Indies announced a 16-member squad on Wednesday for the five-match T20I series against Australia at home.
According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, the 37-year-old Russell is set to retire from international cricket after the first two T20s at Sabina Park in Jamaica.
Since 2019, the pace-bowling all-rounder has only played T20s for the West Indies. In 84 T20Is, Russell has scored 1,078 runs at a strike rate of 163.08 and taken 61 wickets. He was part of two T20 World Cup-winning squads.
Despite his global demand in franchise cricket, Russell didn’t feature in West Indies’ last T20I series against Ireland.
Eighteen-year-old Andrew has played three ODIs for the national team, while 23-year-old Blades featured in one ODI last year against Bangladesh.
The West Indies are under immense pressure after a 3-0 Test series defeat to Australia, which ended with their embarrassing collapse for just 27 runs — the second-lowest total in Test history.
The first T20I is scheduled for Monday morning, Bangladesh time.
West Indies T20 squad
Shai Hope (captain), Jewel Andrew, Jediah Blades, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd.
