BY SHERDON COWAN
Sunday, January 04, 2015
KNOWN for his penetrative fast bowling, powerful batting and electric out-fielding, Andre Russell has now mastered the art of being a match winner.
Despite making his debut in Test cricket against Sri Lanka in November 2010, his only cap at that level, Russell’s strengths have been better suited to the shorter format of the game.
During that season, Russell played at Barnards Green Cricket Club, Worcestershire, England, helping them secure promotion to the Birmingham League cricket. He took 39 wickets at an average of 10.15, and also led with his batting, hitting 799 runs in 11 innings at an average of 99.88.
Following his impressive display with the ball on his One Day International (ODI) debut at the 2011 Cricket World Cup, Russell’s all-round prowess caught the eye of Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, Delhi Daredevils who bought him for a sum of US$450,000.
The 26-year-old came in for even more admiration in 2012, when he became the first bowler in Twenty20 to take four wickets in four successive deliveries.
But his most memorable performance to date came in last year’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL) when he led the Jamaica Tallawahs to a six-wicket victory over the Guyana Amazon Warriors at Sabina Park.
With the Tallawahs requiring 10 runs from two balls, the aggressive batsman slammed a four and a ferocious last ball six on his way to an unbeaten 58 off 24 balls, which included three fours and six sixes.
That performance has placed the right-hander amongst six of the top performances nominated for the RJR Sports Foundation People’s Choice of the Year Award.
The Jamaica and West Indies fast bowling all-rounder has attributed the positive sequence of events over the past year to hard work, which has propelled him into maintaining a high level of consistency.
“It’s a very good feeling to be a part of the People’s Choice Award nominee again; I was a part of it last year and I didn’t win. But at the same time I feel good to know that I am doing well to get nominated again,” he told the Jamaica Observer.
“Once I am getting nominated for whichever award, I know that I am doing a good job in my area. So that motivates me to just continue to work hard and do well every year,” he added.
Russell is up against boxer Nicholas Walters, Jaheel Hyde (athletics), Kemar Lawrence (football), Andrew Gutzmore (football) and swimmer Alia Atkinson, who is the only female nominee for the People’s Choice Performance of the Year Award.
“Being a nominee means a lot to me and it’s not just winning. Win or lose I am still appreciative of all I have accomplished and of all the support I have received.
“So I give God thanks to be a part of it another year, and thanks to everyone who is going to vote for me. I also express gratitude to those who have chosen me as a nominee and I am really grateful,” the 6ft 1in athlete said.
Russell, more popularly called ‘Rusty’ by his peers, further exclaimed his versatility when he began a second career as a recording artist under the name ‘Dre Russ’. He released two singles late last year, one of which is a collaboration with Beenie Man.
Russell has also exploited his talent as a member of Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, and Melbourne Renegades in the Australian Big Bash. He is also a member of the touring West Indies team that is currently in South Africa.
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Nomination motivates me to work harder — Russell
