David Hussey said Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are exploring the option of sending in their explosive West Indian recruit, Andre Russell, at No.3 in order to maximise his batting potential during the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in UAE, starting September 19.
Hussey, the former Knight Riders batsman who has rejoined the franchise as team mentor, said the new think tank, also including coach Brendon McCullum, is open to such ideas as they strive to win their third title.
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"If it benefits the team and helps us win games of cricket, why not?" Hussey said in a news conference. "If that means Andre Russell comes in at three and bats 60 balls, he might actually make a double hundred. Anything can happen with Dre Russ."
Russell had last year blamed some "bad decisions" on and off the field as a major reason why the Knight Riders couldn't make it through to the play-offs.
That, despite the big Jamaican once again playing his role as a middle-order power-hitter and handy fifth-sixth bowling option to perfection.
“A fantastic player, he is probably almost the heartbeat of the team as well," said Hussey of Russell. "We’ve actually got really a well-balanced team… Anyone can bat in any different position. But if it benefits the team, why not, why can’t he bat up the list."
Hussey said McCullum coming in as head coach will reflect in the attacking combinations we see KKR fielding in IPL 2020.
“Anyone who knows Brendon McCullum is aware that he plays the game at 100 miles per hour, and he tries to encourage the players to take the game on. So we’ve got players who can take the game on, players who can fit in the anchor role."
The former Australia cricketer also stressed on the impact England's 2019 World Cup-winning skipper, Eoin Morgan, will have on the team, not just as a player but also as a tactical support on the field to captain Dinesh Karthik.
“He is a huge name, World Cup-winning captain, captain of England for a long time, classy player, classy performer," said Hussey. "He is also going to be a great ally for Dinesh Karthik, maybe fielding in the ring and talking to the bowlers with our captain behind the stumps."
"He is a very cool, calm and collected person. He’s also going to be very heavy in the middle order controlling things."
“I do expect them to both have a really good relationship on and off the field and I think it’s going to go a long way to having a cool and calm head to winning many games during a very tight tournament," he added.
Knight Riders will kickstart their campaign on September 23 in Abu Dhabi against Mumbai Indians (MI).
(Inputs from PTI)
