Andre Russell condemns uncertain and stressful ban

Shortly after receiving the ban for “anti-doping whereabouts” earlier this year imposed by the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO), Andre Russell has finally stated that it the uncertainty and stress regarding the ban was not easy to cope with.

Russell was handed the ban after failing to turn up for three anti-doping drug tests earlier this year. Russell is currently in Lauderhill, Florida where he is currently preparing for the final two games of the Caribbean Premier League with the Jamaica Tallawahs.

“It’s not easy, honestly, it’s tough,” Russell said. “When I cross the rope, I definitely block it off my head but then when you go back to your room and you know you have to face reality and know that something is going on like that, it’s kind of stressing and depressing. But I have an amazing bunch of guys around me. So they keep me occupied, they keep me laughing. I just think that is a very good thing to do while going through something like that.

“Everything is in place. My lawyers are doing whatever they have to do so I don’t really want to have to talk about it that much.”

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However, apart from the repeated words of ‘no comment’ Russell stated that he was focused on helping the Tallawahs clinch their second CPL title. “This is what we live for, to be on top of the table,” Russell said. “We still have a few games to go. We’re still not going to take anything for granted. We’re going to try and play our best cricket so we can be in form going into the crucial games.”