West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell will retire from international cricket after the first two matches of the upcoming T20I series against Australia at home. The 37-year-old has been named in the squad for the five-match series, but the first two games which are set to be played at Sabina Park in Jamaica, his home ground, will be his final appearances for the West Indies. Russell has only played T20Is for West Indies since 2019. He has featured in 84 matches, scoring 1,078 runs at an average of 22.00 and a strike rate of 163.08. He has hit three half-centuries, with a best score of 71. With the ball, he has taken 61 wickets at an average of 30.59, with best figures of 3/19. His retirement comes just months ahead of the next ICC T20 World Cup, which will be held in India and Sri Lanka in February 2026. Russell is the second big-name player to retire from West Indies recently, after Nicholas Pooran stepped away at the age of 29. In his overall international career, Russell played just one Test match. He also played 56 ODIs, scoring 1,034 runs at an average of 27.21 and a strike rate above 130. He had four half-centuries in ODIs, with a top score of 92 not out. He also took 70 wickets in the format, with best figures of 4/35. Russell was part of West Indies’ ICC T20 World Cup-winning teams in 2012 and 2016. In a heartfelt post on X, the Windies Cricket account thanked the player for his service and lauded him for his impressive efforts over the years. “Thank you,Andre Russell. From the moment you stepped onto that field in maroon, you didn’t just play—you ignited. Power. Passion. Pride. You gave us everything. This isn’t just One Last Dance — it’s the legacy of a warrior.” read the post on X. He has been a major figure in T20 leagues around the world, playing 561 matches and scoring 9,316 runs at an average of 26.39 and a strike rate of over 168. He has two centuries and 33 fifties, with a top score of 121 not out. As a bowler, he has picked up 485 wickets at an average of 25.85, with best figures of 5/15.
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How do you feel about Russell’s retirement timing?
Recently, he played in the Major League Cricket (MLC) for Los Angeles Knight Riders, scoring 126 runs and taking 10 wickets. Despite his efforts, his team finished last in the tournament.
