KOLKATA, India (CMC) \u2014 All-rounder Andre Russell says there is a renewed hunger to represent West Indies in the upcoming World Cup, especially with his current batting form.<\/p>\n
The 31-year-old has played only a single One-Day International in the last four years but was named in the Caribbean side’s World Cup 15-man squad last week.<\/p>\n
He was recalled for the last two matches of the recent five-match home series against England but was subsequently kept out due to a knee injury.<\/p>\n
\u201cI’m so hungry now to represent the West Indies,\u201d the Jamaican said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe last time I joined the West Indies team was recently, when I had taken two injections to better my knee and it flared up again. I was so upset. I was watching the game against England and couldn’t do anything about it.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut as I said, I’m so hungry right now to represent the West Indies and smash sixes and do what I’ve been doing here, and score hundreds.\u201d<\/p>\n
Russell has been on fire with the bat in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), where he has plundered 486 runs at an average of 69 with four half-centuries to top the Kolkata Knight Riders batting charts.<\/p>\n
Though there has been less emphasis placed on his medium-fast bowling, the right-armer has already claimed 10 wickets at an average of 22 and economy rate of nearly nine.<\/p>\n
Despite his absence from the ODI side in recent years, Russell said his selection for the May 30 to July 14 showpiece in England was not unexpected.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wasn’t surprised that I was a part of the World Cup squad,\u201d Russell explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cI’ve been doing well. I’ve been back and forth with the selectors and the coaches back home. I know once I’m doing my work here and performing, that will lead to national duties.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wasn’t really focused on the World Cup. I was just trying to make sure that whatever happened here, I did my best and put my best foot forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
New interim West Indies Head Coach Floyd Reifer said last week that Russell’s current form in the IPL had weighed heavily in the decision by selectors.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe’s shown that he has tremendous striking ability \u2014 look at his stats in the IPL, he’s been doing very, very well,\u201d he pointed out.<\/p>\n
Russell averages 28 from 52 ODIs and has taken 65 wickets.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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