Russell returns to WI squad for T20 against ROW

KINGSTON: Big-hitting Andre Russell has been named in the Windies squad for the fundraising T20I against a Rest of the World (ROW) side, marking the Jamaican’s return to international cricket after a doping violation ban. Russell last played for the Windies against India in August 2016 before a whereabouts clause violation under the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) led to his lengthy spell on the sidelines. Besides Russell, the 13-man squad also sees the return for offspinner Ashley Nurse, who played earlier this year in New Zealand, while other first-team regulars Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis and Marlon Samuels were reinstated after missing the series in Pakistan. Denesh Ramdin and Keemo Paul kept their places in the side following encouraging recent form.

Squad: Carlos Brathwaite (c), Rayad Emrit, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis,

Ashley Nurse, Keemo Paul, Rovman Powell, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Andre Russell, Samuel Badree, Marlon Samuels, Kesrick Williams.