KINGSTON: West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell will lead Jamaica Tallawahs in the upcoming 2018 edition of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
After recently returning to cricket following a 12-month suspension, Russell will be re-joining the Tallawahs for the 2018 CPL season and he cannot wait to get started in the tournament.
"It's a good feeling, honestly, I missed out last year due to one-year suspension. I'm looking forward to it, not just looking forward to play but looking forward to being the captain for the Jamaica Tallawahs, as well and looking forward to doing a good job," Russell said.
"We have a very good, balanced team. We have a team that is not just about the names, it's all about what they can do as well and how quickly they can change the game. I truly believe in all- rounders in T20 cricket and I think that's what we have. I think we have guys that can bat and bowl and once you have eight guys in a team that can do that, I think you have a good team on paper," he added.
This year Russell will be captaining Shahid Afridi, a player with a huge amount of experience in the T20 format, and he is looking forward to have him as a teammate at the Tallawahs.
"It's going to be interesting, I've played against Shahid before, he's a good guy. Even in Dubai after we played, we go out on a boat together, just enjoy each other's company. To be around a guy like Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Ahmed Shehzad and all these guys, it just show a different type of how they live, and how simple they are apart from the game. But, it's good to have [Afridi] in the CPL this year and not just playing against him, playing with him as well, because I hope I can learn a few things and take it along with me."
Russell said that the CPL is vital for the growth of cricket in the region, and is keen to see Caribbean cricketers show their passion for the sport at the tournament.
"[CPL] is very important. I think just like how passionate the guys in India are, just coming from IPL, and seeing how passionate these guys are about getting to the top four, winning the cup and looking forward to every practice session and everything. It means a lot to the local guys and I think that's what it's supposed to mean to us as well, because once you're in your home town I think that's where you want to be and it's just going to make you express yourself a lot more."
Russell says he has set himself personal targets for the tournament ahead, but he doesn't want to make those public. He would rather leave those as targets for himself.
"I always set personal goals but I don't let it out loud because I don't want to say I want 20 wickets, 30 wickets and I only get 10. It's always good to have your personal goals but I don't like to say it out loud. Every player want to get wickets, take a lot of catches, score runs, but I have my personal goals and I just hope I can achieve them."
Andre Russell will be captaining the Jamaica Tallawahs at the Caribbean Premier League, which is slated to be held from August 8 to September 16.