The Melbourne Renegades have landed one of the biggest names in T20 cricket with West Indian superstar Andre Russell locked in for the start of the new BBL season.
Russell was overlooked in the inaugural Big Bash draft despite being paid marketing money by Cricket Australia. He was even linked into the draft telecast amid an expectation he would be taken.
But his limited availability moved teams to look elsewhere, with the Renegades taking Liam Livingstone as the first-ever No.1 pick, who Russell now replaces due to the Englishman’s international commitments.
The big-hitting all-rounder returns for a second stint in red having represented the Renegades in BBL|04 where he took four wickets and blasted six sixes in four matches at an astronomical strike rate of 186.96.
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The West Indian star has also represented the Stars and Thunder in the BBL and returns to the Renegades with 381 wickets and more than 7000 runs in the shortened format.
Russell will play at least the first four matches as a replacement player for Livingstone.
“I can’t wait to be part of the Big Bash League again this summer,” said Russell, who wasn’t picked up in the initial draft.
“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.”
Russell’s return is a huge boost to a Renegades side that finished their last campaign at the bottom of the table with just three wins from 14 matches.
They open their new campaign against fellow battlers the Heat before their first game at home against the Thunder on December 18.
“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 matchwinner 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.
“Andre pulls people through the gates with the way he plays and to have him available for one home game apiece at Marvel Stadium and GMHBA Stadium is fantastic.”
