Andre Russell has marked his return to the national set-up for the first time since March 2020. The Jamaican all-rounder has been picked in the provisional 18-member squad ahead of their series against South Africa, Australia and Pakistan.

The Windies are slated to play the three back-to-back T20I tournaments in the lead up to the T20 World Cup later this year. 

The West Indian squad will enter the iconic tournament as the defending champions and possess plenty of firepower, with Andre Russell and Chris Gayle in the ranks. 

Kieron Pollard will be at the helm of affairs for the Caribbean side and will first lock horns with South Africa for the five T20 internationals starting 26th June at Grenada. 

Russell had been in prolific form in the first half of the Indian Premier League for the Kolkata Knight Riders. He picked up his maiden five-wicket haul in the shortest format against defending champions Mumbai Indians and contributed with a few vital knocks as well.

The 33-year-old all-rounder produced one of the most destructive knocks in this edition of the tournament as he smashed a 22-ball 54 against the Chennai Super Kings.  

With years of experience in the shortest format of the game, Russell is a vital cog in the Windies line-up for the mega event. 

West Indies provisional squad

Kieron Pollard (C), Nicholas Pooran (VC), Fabian Allen, Dwayne Bravo, Sheldon Cottrell, Fidel Edwards, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Evin Lewis, Obed McCoy, Andre Russell, Lendl Simmons, Kevin Sinclair, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr