Ban ‘hard’ but glad to be back: Russell
West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell said that his oneyear ban from cricket was ‘hard’, forcing him to ‘turn down interviews’ and he ‘does not want to talk’ about it anymore.
Russell had failed to conform to World Anti-Doping Agency’s whereabouts clause thrice in 2015 and was subsequently banned for doping violation by an independent anti-doping panel in Kingston, Jamaica from January 30, 2017 to January 30, 2018.
Having made his return, Russell said that he does not want to remember about the ‘hard’ suspension. “You know (that) you have to move on. Just the other night I scored a hundred in Trinidad… I keep turning down interviews, I do not want to talk about it, it is in the past,” he said in an interview to ESPNCricinfo.
“You have games to come, cricket moves on; it was just a game that we won. But it is how we won and everything… The suspension was tough, it was hard, but I am happy that I am back on the park and I am fit, the body is in good condition and I am happy to be contributing and giving the fans what they want.”
An important player for several T20 franchises, Russell is currently leading Jamaica Tallawahs in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2018.
Tallawahs are sitting comfortable at the second spot with three wins in four games, which includes a sensational win over Trinbago Knight Riders in a highscoring contest.
Chasing 224, Tallawahs had slipped to 41 for five when Russell joined forces with Kennar Lewis (51) to help his side win by four wickets and three balls to spare.
Russell was at his best, hammering 13 sixes and six fours in his unbeaten 121 off just 49 balls. He even took a hat-trick in the same match.
Talking about his captaincy stint, Russell said, “The key for success… I have been allowing each and every one to just be themselves, let them know (there is) no pressure. It will not be the first game you are going to lose. Like (for) bowlers, I just let them know (that) I back them, give them the field that they want.
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