Sports News: West Indies all-rounder and a globally recognised power hitter, Andre Russell, has decided to retire from international cricket. The player will play his last two matches against Australia at home on 20th and 22nd July, which also happen to be the first two games of the five-match T20I series. The announcement came shortly after he was picked for the team for the T20I series. The all-rounder will play his last two matches at Sabina Park, Jamaica. West Indies confirmed that Russell's selection was purely based on "performance merit, as he remains one of the most impactful T20 players in world cricket."
"Honour to wear the maroon for over a decade," says Russel
The Jamaican all-rounder expressed his gratitude to represent his nation for over a decade. He said, "Words cannot explain what it meant. To represent the West Indies has been one of the proudest achievements in my life. When I was a kid, I did not expect to get to this level, but the more you start to play and get to love the sport, the more you realise what you can achieve. This inspired me to become better because I wanted to leave a mark in the maroon colours and become an inspiration to others.”
On playing final game in front of his home crowd
The power hitter also talked about playing the last game in front of his home crowd. “I love playing for the West Indies, and I love playing at home in front of my family and friends, where I get to showcase my talent and produce more high-quality performances. I want to finish my international career on a high while being a role model for the next generation of cricketers coming out of the Caribbean.”
Another setback for the Windies
Russell is the second well-known West Indian player to retire from international cricket, following Nicholas Pooran, who announced his decision barely two months ago. As a result, it comes as yet another big setback for the West Indies, with only seven months until the next T20 World Cup, which will take place in India and Sri Lanka in February 2026.
