In demand
Notts among teams lining up to sign Russell after ban expires
NOTTINGHAM, England (CMC): TEAMS CONTINUE to line up to hire West Indies all-rounder André Russell when his anti-doping whereabouts violation ban comes to a conclusion next January. Russell already has one contract lined up after Pakistan Super League team Islamabad United bought him and Windies T20 teammate Samuel Badree in the draft last Sunday, on a day when Chris Gayle failed to find a team. Now, media reports indicate that English Twenty20 county champions Nottinghamshire will explore the possibility of bringing the 29year-old Jamaican back to the club for next season’s T20 Blast. “His ban (will be up) next summer,” said Notts director of cricket Mick Newell in the Nottingham Post. “We’ll speak to his agent because he’s an agent for a number of players. “The big problem with Caribbean players is the tournament clashes heavily with the Caribbean Premier League. That’s a big problem, but we’d be interested in André. He’s a fantastic player.” Russell’s services were in high demand before he committed the anti-doping whereabouts violation, reportedly missing three such tests in a 12-month period, which equates to a failed test under doping laws and was subsequently banned for one year by the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission. He was aligned with Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League, Sydney Thunder in the Australian Big Bash League and Dhaka Dynamites in the Bangladesh Premier League prior to his suspension. Russell also enjoyed a successful stint at Trent Bridge last year, as Notts made it to Finals Day, only to lose in the semi-finals, when the all-rounder was their best player.