WEST INDIES assistant coach Roddy Estwick is pleading with the public to be patient with Andre Russell who has been playing for the regional side less than 100 per cent fit.
In fact, Estwick admitted that management knew Russell had fitness issues but given his reputation and also form in the recent Indian Premier League (IPL) and other competitions, they wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt.
His comments came after West Indies’ World Cup campaign hit a major snag in the wake of the defeat to Bangladesh in Taunton on Monday, and after hundreds of social media posts and tweets have questioned why an injured Russell keeps his place while fit players are on the bench.
“We all knew his [Russell] knee problems before he came into the tournament. We felt that he brought an x-factor into the team not only with his batting but with his bowling as well,” said Estwick. (BAW)
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