West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell has returned to the national squad as he was recalled for the first two T20Is of the home series against South Africa.
The five-match T20I series is scheduled to begin from 26 June with all five matches to be played at National Cricket Stadium in Grenada.
The right-handed explosive batsman who has been a part of West Indies team that won two T20 World Cups in 2012 and 2016 has played 49 T20Is for the West Indies but is yet to score a half-century. His last appearance was against Sri Lanka in Pallekele in March last year.
“Andre Russell will add that 'X' factor to the team. He is an impact player with both bat and ball and lends greater depth in both departments,” lead selector Roger Harper said.
“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,” he added.
The all-rounder Kieron Pollard who looked to be in terrific form while playing for Mumbai Indians (MI) in the first-leg of this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL 2021) will lead the West Indies side that also includes 41-year-old southpaw Chris Gayle.
Squad: Kieron Pollard (C), Nicholas Pooran (VC), Fabian Allen, Dwayne Bravo, Fidel Edwards, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Jason Holder, Evin Lewis, Obed McCoy, Andre Russell, Lendl Simmons, Kevin Sinclair.
(With AFP Inputs)
