3 reasons why bringing back Andre Russell might backfire for T20I series against England

Andre Russell is one of the explosive batters of this generation. The star West Indies all-rounder has been out of the national side since the 2021 T20I World Cup. He has been named to the West Indies T20I team for the first time after two years for the five-match series against England at home. Except for him, Sherfane Rutherford has also been called up for the first time since 2020.

Russell's inclusion may appear to be an intelligent move, but West Indies selector Desmond Haynes indicated that they wanted to choose a side that provided them the best opportunity to prepare for the T20 World Cup 2024 is scheduled to take place in West Indies the USA. But there can be reasons why Russell's inclusion might turn out dangerous for the side. 

Gudakesh Motie, after impressing with his left-arm spin in the second ODI against England in Antigua has been called up, with the likes of Nicholas Pooran, and Jason Holder was also called up for the T20I series. Russell is regarded as the greatest all-rounder in the shortest format of the game, scoring close to 8000 runs across T20 competitions at a strike rate of 167 to go with over 400 wickets with the ball.

Here are the three reasons why Russell's inclusion will be a problem for the Windies

3. Russell's injury 

Andre Russell has suffered most of the time with injuries in his career. As injuries and Russell goes side by side. The star all-rounder's international career has been reduced down to the injuries he has suffered. The big man from Jamaica has been athletic on the field which has led to some serious injuries while batting and fielding. The 35-year-old batter's age is also a factor for the national side to keep him fit for the upcoming World Cup. 

2. Setting the Wrong example 

Russell who last represented the Windies in the 2021 World Cup was not being able to perform at all can give a negative example to the young cricketers who are part of the side as well. But considering the mega event at home this might be a brave call from the Cricket Board of the country. He managed to score 227 runs in 14 matches in the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) at a strike rate of 138.96, which does not selection choice to the side either. 

1. West Indies's experiment might go against them 

The Windies are one of the most formidable sides when it comes to the shortest format of the game. They have a set side which has been performing well in the T20 cricket. The inclusion of the Jamaican man will change the middle-order structure and their skipper Rovman Powell will have a tough decision to make of whom to drop and pick him in the middle with the team which has been set for the last couple of years.