Russell to make Windies comeback at Lord’s

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Having enjoyed an impressive start to the Indian Premier League allrounder Andre Russell is set to return to the West Indies T20I squad.

Russell, who received a one-year ban from all competitions for failing to report his location to anti-doping body WADA, has found form that was sorely lacking ahead of his suspension, since returning to cricket earlier this year.

The Hurricane Relief T20 Challenge match against an ICC Rest of the World XI on May 31 at Lord’s could see Russell play his first match for the West Indies since August 2016.

The Jamaican ended the Regional Pro50 tournament in the Caribbean on a high hitting a match winning 108 not out against Kent in a group match before jetting off to the UAE for a brief and underwhelming Pakistan Super League with Islamabad United.

Russell has played two brutal innings for the Kolkata Knight Riders in this season’s IPL, both coming in winning causes and has pulled his weight with the ball as well.

There is no space in the squad for Kieron Pollard who appears to have been frozen out of the West Indies plans.

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Chairman of selectors Courtney Browne said: “We welcome the return of the players who missed the Pakistan Series and are delighted to recall Andre Russell to the squad, as we believe he will have a key role in our white-ball cricket.

“Denesh Ramdin and Keemo Paul keep their places after encouraging performances at both regional and international level.”

The proceeds from the event will go towards hurricane relief efforts on the part of the WICB and associated cricket organizations in the region.

The Sir Viv Richards Stadium in Antigua served as an emergency camp for refugees fleeing the hurricane destruction in nearby Barbuda while a number of other grounds in the region suffered extensive damage.

West Indies CEO Johnny Grave said: “On behalf of Cricket West Indies, I’d like to thank the players for their commitment to and support of this vital cause. We’re hoping to raise a significant sum from the Hurricane Relief T20 Challenge and are very grateful to the MCC, ECB and ICC, without whom this match would not be taking place.”

West Indies T20 squad: Samuel Badree, Carlos Brathwaite (c), Rayad Emrit, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Ashley Nurse, Keemo Paul, Rovman Powell, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Kesrick Williams.

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