Andre Russell set to comeback after a year-long WADA ban
West Indies all-rounder, Andre Russell is set to make a comeback to competitive cricket after serving a year-long ban imposed on him by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). On his return, he will represent Jamaica against Leeward Islands in the Regional Super50, West Indies' domestic 50-over competition, which begins tomorrow. Here is more on the story.
Doping violation and the resultant ban
Andre Russell was handed a one-year ban from cricket, after he was found guilty of being negligent in filing his whereabouts on three separate instances within a 12-month period in 2015. As per the WADA rules, this was equivalent to a failed dope test. A three-member independent tribunal in Jamaica banned Russell for a whole year from 31st Jan 2017 to 30th Jan 2018.
Misses 2017 IPL
The one year ban period meant that Russell missed playing the 2017 Indian Premier League, NatWest T20 Blast, Pakistan Super League (PSL), and the Caribbean Premier Leagues where he represented Kolkata Knight Riders, Nottinghamshire, Islamabad United, and Jamaica Tallawahs, respectively.
Immediate assignments
After the Super50 tournament, where Russell would test his fitness, the Jamaican would take part in Pakistan Super League, which starts on 22nd February in Dubai. He will then head to India to participate in the IPL which begins in April. Russell, however, will give the World Cup Qualifiers a miss along with the likes of Sunil Narine, Darren Bravo, and Kieron Pollard.
