[Watch] WI vs AUS 2025: Andre Russell receives guard of honour, special memento in farewell T20I match

Legendary all-rounder Andre Russell received an emotional farewell as he played his final T20I match for West Indies at his home ground, the iconic Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica.

As the second T20I between West Indies and Australia got underway on July 22, Russell walked out onto the field with both teams lining up to give a guard of honour. The Honourable Minister of Sports, Entertainment and Culture, Olivia Grange, was also present and handed Russell a special memento, honouring his contributions to West Indies cricket over the years.

Check out the video below:

The 37-year-old had earlier announced that this match would be his final T20I, ending his remarkable international career that spanned over a decade. Russell finished with 1122 runs in 86 T20Is at a strike rate of 163 and also picked 61 wickets. Notably, he was part of both of the West Indies' T20 World Cup-winning squads (2012 and 2016).  In his farewell speech, the all-rounder thanked his family, friends, and teammates for supporting him for so long and believing in his abilities. 

"I just want to say thanks again. I'm very grateful to end my career here. Played in front of my home crowd, family and friends. The result didn't go my way, but at the end of the day, I'm happy and grateful. The crowd has been amazing in the last two games. Really appreciate it. We tried our best. I feel like it's time for me to just hang it up and wish the boys all the best moving forward. I'm very grateful for this amazing international career finishing at Sabina Park. Keep supporting," he said at the post-match interview.

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The match witnessed the home team struggling at 98 for 5, with Russell once again playing a brilliant knock. He smashed 36 runs off just 15 deliveries, laced with two fours and four huge sixes. His innings included seeing him take on Ben Dwarshuis and Adam Zampa. But Nathan Ellis ended the veteran's cameo, dismissing him in the 17th over.

Despite Russell’s fireworks pushing West Indies to 172/8, Australia ended on the winning side. Josh Inglis (78* off 33) and Cameron Green (56* off 33) put on a record-breaking 131-run stand to chase down the target with eight wickets and nearly five overs to spare, sealing a 2-0 lead in the series.

Earlier, the West Indies had put on a strong start, but due to a middle-order collapse triggered by Zampa and Glenn Maxwell, the team once again failed to breach the 200-run mark. Brandon King’s 51 had given the hosts a flying start before wickets fell.