Jamaica Tallawahs Head Coach Paul Nixon is optimistic that Andre Russell will return to the starting line-up for the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) game versus Guyana Amazon Warriors on Friday at Sabina Park.
Russell, the dynamic all-rounder, has been affected by an injury to the back of his knee. “We missed Andre and he’s been recovering well and he’s raring to go,” Nixon told the Jamaica Observer yesterday, moments after the team arrived in the island.
The 28-year-old played — but tellingly was not called on to bowl — in the Tallawahs’ victories away to St Kitts & Nevis Patriots and reigning champions Trinbago Knight Riders, on July 2 and July 4, respectively.
He blasted 34 runs off 20 balls against the Patriots. The big-hitting batsman was hobbling during part of his innings of 24 from 18 deliveries against the Knight Riders and prematurely returned to Jamaica to undergo rehabilitation — missing the loss away to the Amazon Warriors on July 7.
The Jamaican was again sidelined for the rain-abandoned clash versus hosts Barbados Tridents on Monday. “As far as I know, he’s ready for it. He’s played a lot of cricket and he was probably due a rest at some stage. But being the guy that he is and the passion that he has got for the game, he wants to do well,” added the coach.
Nixon, who coached the Tallawahs to CPL glory in 2013, expressed uncertainty whether Russell will bowl against the Amazon Warriors. But the Englishman said a decision will be taken after consulting medical and fitness personnel.
Russell, amongst the busiest Twenty20 cricketers on the global circuit, has had a history of knee-related problems, and Nixon said the player will need to assess how the injury is managed. “He’s desperate to be back, but he’s going to have to make some big decisions after the CPL [in terms of] where he goes and what he does.”
Friday’s game against the Amazon Warriors is the first of four home games for the Tallawahs at Sabina Park. They are then set to face the Patriots on Saturday and the Knight Riders on Monday before, closing out the home leg versus the Tridents next Wednesday.
The Tallawahs are then scheduled to have a week-and-a-half break from competition. A tour of Florida is scheduled to follow as part of CPL’s historic introduction to the United States. Captain Christopher Gayle has starred with the bat, while Kumar Sangakkara and Russell have produced cameo knocks. Nixon is urging the less-established players to make their mark on the tournament.
“Everybody can have a match-winning performance and preseason we spoke about that, and about the less experienced guys coming to the party. We’re desperate for some of them to create a habit, but there’s a lot of cricket left,” he said.