Russell pulls out Lanka Premier League

ANDRE Russell will not compete in the 2020 Lanka Premier League (LPL).

After Russell was selected on October 19 to play in the LPL from November 21 to December 13, eyebrows were raised because the Jamaican power-hitter opted not to tour New Zealand with the West Indies for three T20 matches from November 27 to 30.

An espncricinfo article on Monday said, “Russell, meanwhile, has pulled out (of the LPL) due to injury, according to Sri Lanka Cricket.”

Russell is currently in the United Arab Emirates playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL), but has not played in recent matches.

“He has not played for the Kolkata Knight Riders since the game against the Sunrisers Hyderabad on October 18 owing to a knee injury but hasn't yet pulled out of the IPL entirely either.”

It is uncertain if Russell will play again in the IPL which ends on November 10. LPL director Ravin Wickramaratne told espncricinfo that injury was the reason why he pulled out of the LPL.

Russell’s name appearing among the LPL draft picks may have disappointed some as he told Cricket West Indies (CWI) lead selector Roger Harper that he opted not to tour New Zealand because he wanted “to clear his head” and he was “going from one lockdown (tournament) to another.” Harper was speaking to journalists on Zoom, on October 16.

On the SportsMax Zone on October 20, president of CWI Ricky Skerritt said in a perfect world he would like West Indies players to choose West Indies before T20 leagues.

“Is that something that we like to hear? Of course not. We would like to believe that it is country above self, West Indies above leagues and so on but our policy is very straightforward since I have come to the fore bearing in mind the legal situation.”

Russell’s name was never mentioned in the SportsMax Zone interview, but he is only West Indies player who was drafted to play in the LPL that chose not to tour New Zealand.

Skerritt said Russell is not a contracted West Indies player and has the freedom to choose T20 leagues ahead of West Indies.