Andre Russell set to make a comeback after doping ban

Andre Russell had emerged as one the most ferocious cricketers to have played the game. While the Jamaican can whack the leather with ferocity, he can also crank up the pace. Moreover, he also has shown agility as a fielder and has been an instrumental force for whichever team he represented. However, the last year hasn’t quite been rejoicing for the Windies all-rounder.

Last year in January, he was banned for one year on accounts of doping violation as per the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules. He was unable to file his doping whereabouts on three occasions in 2015. In addition, he was found guilty by an internal tribunal comprising Dr. Marjorie Vassell, Hugh Faulkner, and Dixeth Palmer, the latter being a former Jamaica cricketer.

Subsequently, he was handed a ban which started from January 31. 2017 and ended a couple of days ago on January 30, 2018. Nevertheless, after a rather forgettable year, the Caribbean cricketer is all set to mark his return to competitive cricket as per reports in ESPNCricinfo. He will represent Jamaica against the Leeward Island on Friday in the Regional Super50 tournament, Windies’ domestic 50-over competition.

Back for the Kolkata Knight Riders

Andre Russell has been an instrumental performer for Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League. However, he couldn’t represent them in the erstwhile edition of the event. Nevertheless, the Knight Riders fraternity restored faith in the swashbuckling all-rounder and retained him in the IPL retention ceremony along with Sunil Narine, his Windies team-mate.

Russell has last played a game for the Windies way back in 2016 when India toured the United States of America (USA) for a T20 International series. His last competitive game was in the 2016-17 Big Bash League (BBL) where he represented the Sydney Thunders against the Melbourne Stars. The Jamaican will be itching to take the field and stamp his authority all over again.