In a moment filled with emotion and celebration, Andre Russell bid farewell to international cricket on Tuesday with a guard of honour from teammates and opponents amid applause from fans at Sabina Park, as he walked out for his final outing in West Indies colours during the second T20I against Australia.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The 37-year-old Jamaican all-rounder, known for his explosive power and larger-than-life persona, marked the occasion in trademark style — smashing 36 off just 15 balls, including four towering sixes and two boundaries, at a staggering strike rate of 240.00. Though West Indies posted a competitive 172/8, it was Russell’s farewell that stole the spotlight.WATCH:Earlier, Australia won the toss and elected to field, but the focus remained on Russell, who confirmed his international retirement before the series.
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“Words cannot explain what it meant. To represent the West Indies has been one of the proudest achievements in my life,” Russell had said in his retirement statement released by Cricket West Indies.“I wanted to leave a mark in the maroon colours and become an inspiration to others. I love playing at home in front of my family and friends… I want to finish my international career on a high while being a role model for the next generation,” he added.
Russell ends his career with 143 international caps, including 86 T20Is, 56 ODIs, and one Test, and was a vital part of the West Indies’ T20 World Cup wins in 2012 and 2016.As he exited the field at his beloved Sabina Park, teammates lined up to honour him, providing a fitting send-off to a player who has defined a generation of West Indies T20 cricket.