Russell: I'm ready for my Windies recall

West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell hasn't played for his country since March, but feels his current form is good enough for a recall, and hopes selectors have been keeping an eye on his efforts.

West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell hasn't played for his country since March, but feels his current form is good enough for a recall, and hopes selectors have been keeping an eye on his efforts.

Russell last played for the Windies in March, in aT20 against Zimbabwe, and was then dropped. Since then, he played for Worcestershire in England, doing well, and then in the Caribbean Premier League for Jamaica.

In the CPL he helped his side reach the semi-finals, scoring the second-most runs for the side behind Chris Gayle, and also taking regular wickets. He also said his overall fitness had improved dramatically.

Russell said: "I've been working hard on my batting and bowling so I am not really surprised by form at the moment. I'm bowling good yorkers, I'm hitting the ball cleanly and I'm waiting for my type of balls to dispatch so I'm happy.

"I'm feeling good. I got dropped from the West Indies team but I know what I have to do and I know how important it is for me to work harder than everyone else.

"As an allrounder you have to be extra fit. I've been doing a lot of work. I've played in England for Worcestershire and I've been doing a lot of running and stuff like that. Getting dropped made me stronger.

"I went back in the nets. I have my own training facility at home with a bowling machine so I made use of that. I know what I have to work on and I spent extra time working on those things.

"I know what it is to play international cricket and I know what it takes to stay there. I've been dropped but when I return to the West Indies team I think I will be a better player."

The West Indies' next tour is to New Zealand at the end of the year.