Big Bash League (BBL) side Melbourne Renegades on Thursday announced the signing of West Indies’ star all-rounder Andre Russell ahead of the upcoming 12th season of the tournament.
Russell has been signed as a cover for England all-rounder Liam Livingstone for the first four matches of the new season. Livingstone, who was the No.1 pick in the BBL Draft, was a surprise inclusion into England’s Test squad for the tour of Pakistan in December.
Earlier, the star West Indian all-rounder had went undrafted in the BBL Draft.
Speaking to the Renegades’ official website, Russell said that he was excited to be back playing for the Melbourne-based franchise and said he will do everything to help the team start the tournament on the right note.
“I can’t wait to be part of the Big Bash League again this summer. I’m excited to be back in red and will be doing everything I can to help the Melbourne Renegades start the tournament with a bang. I love playing in Australia and I’m looking forward to seeing all the Renegades fans turn out at Marvel Stadium and in Geelong,” he said.
Meanwhile, Melbourne Renegades General Manager, James Rosengarten, said that they were thrilled to have Russell return to the fold. He said that they jumped at the opportunity to sign the West Indian star all-rounder once they came to know about Livingstone’s unavailability.
“We are thrilled to have Andre Russell returning to the Renegades this summer,” Melbourne Renegades General Manager, James Rosengarten, said.
“Andre is one of the best T20 players in the world; he’s a proven match-winner and exactly the type of player we need. He adds to our team in all three facets of the game – his ability to clear the boundary, take wickets and make things happen in the field. We had positive discussions with Andre throughout the draft process and were always keen to try to get him back in red. With Liam’s availability changing after the draft, there was an opportunity to add Andre to our group and we jumped at it,” he added.