West Indian Russell banned

KINGSTON: West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell was banned yesterday for one year for a doping whereabouts rule violation.

Russell appeared to be in tears when the decision was announced at the Jamaica Conference Centre in Kingston.

The two-time Twenty20 World Cup winner was revealed to have committed the violation 11 months ago after registering three filing failures in 2015. That constitutes a failed drugs test under World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) rules.

“Mr Russell was found guilty of a doping violation,” Hugh Faulkner, chairman of the independent anti-doping tribunal that handed out the punishment, said.

The 28-year-old Jamaican, who helped the West Indies win their second World T20 title last year, will be banned for a year from January 31.

Wada rules state that athletes across all sports must inform their local anti-doping agencies where they will be for, at least, one hour each day to facilitate drug tests.

Russell did not comment on the ruling, but his lead attorney took comfort that Russell avoided a maximum two-year ban.

Russell’s ban means he will miss a lucrative year of T20 cricket, including the Indian Premier League, where he plays for the Kolkata Knight Riders.

The 28-year-old Jamaican earlier this month completed a stint with the Sydney Thunder in the Australian Big Bash league.