SYDNEY, Australia, CMC – Explosive West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell wants to cap a “perfect” year by helping reigning champions Sydney Thunder make a winning start to their Big Bash League title defence.
The 28-year-old Jamaican was instrumental in helping Thunder win the 2015/16 campaign and since then has proved pivotal in helping several other franchises win their domestic Twenty20 titles. He arrived here Sunday for the Thunder’s BBL curtain-raiser against city rivals, Sydney Sixers, today tired but brimming with confidence.
“It’s a tremendous feeling getting off the plane today, this morning, I’m a bit jetlagged but I’m happy to be back,’’ Russell said. “After winning this trophy I won another four more trophies, which is amazing.”
After helping Thunder to the BBL title last January, Russell’s stock rose appreciably as he went on an incredible run of success.
He helped Islamabad United win the Pakistan Super League, was part of the West Indies side that won the Twenty20 World Cup in April, followed up by guiding Jamaica Tallawahs to the capture of the Caribbean Premier League before joining Dhaka Dynamites to help them clinch the Bangladesh Premier League.
Last season, he became a huge fan favourite in Sydney and on Sunday
reiterated his desire to help the franchise successfully defend their crown. “The perfect year, but the year is not complete yet, I’d love to get as many wins going into the next year,” Russell said.
“It’s a very good bunch of guys, the team looks young, everyone looks fresh and ready to go and I’m ready as well. “Just getting off the plane a bit jetlagged and to get this reception this is what the game is all about.’’ Russell has played 227 Twenty20s, garnering over 3400 runs with his powerful, lower order hitting and taking 206 wickets with his lively seam.
He will play the BBL campaign with the threat of a drugs ban hanging over his head, as he awaits judgement from Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission on a “doping whereabouts” violation.
