West Indies super star allrounder Andre Russell had his farewell party spoiled as Australia defeated the West Indies by eight wickets to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match T20 International Series.
In his final international match, dubbed “Dre Day”, Russell gave his supporters at Sabina Park a taste of his brilliance as he smashed four big sixes in a sizzling knock of 36 off 15 balls before he skied a top edge that ended his last international innings. West Indies made 172-8 off their 20 overs on Tuesday night. Among those in the crowd were Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the decorated Olympic sprint champion.
His last innings on the international stage was vintage – the awesome kind of power-hitting he is known for which helped West Indies win two T20 World Cups. The 37-year-old Jamaican went with the total at 98-5 and dominated a 41-run sixth with Rovman Pwiell. Russell clobbered sixes on three of the first four balls off Ben Dwarshuis in the 15th over, going down the ground over the sightscreen, top-edging over the keeper and hitting over the midwicket boundary. In the field he was less effective as he then spilled two diving catches as the Aussies raced to 173-2 to complete the win with almost five overs to spare.
Both teams had formed a guard of honour for Russell to walk onto the field before the match. The Australian players shook his hand and patted his back as he walked back to the pavilion following his innings.
“The result didn’t go my way, but I’m happy and grateful. I really appreciate the fans who turned out and showed the love. Sorry the result didn’t go our way. I feel like it’s time for me to hang it up and wish the guys the best of luck moving forward,” Russell said in a post-game television interview with ESPN.
In the second half of the match, Josh Inglis and Cameron Green combined in a record partnership for Australia as the visitors easily reached the target. Inglis was unbeaten on 78 from 33 balls and Green was 56 off 32 balls, the pair sharing a 131-run stand, an Australian T20 record for the third wicket.
