MELBOURNE, Australia, (CMC) – West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell has been signed by Melbourne Renegades to contest the Aussie Big Bash League starting here later this month.

The 26-year-old limited overs specialist will be available for the first half of the Big Bash and joins the franchise which already boasts West Indies one-day captain Dwayne Bravo on their roster.
Currently in South Africa campaigning for Knights in the Ram Slam Twenty20 League, Russell said he was keen to get going Down Under.
“I’m really looking forward to getting to Australia and playing a key role for the Melbourne Renegades this season,” Russell said.
“The Renegades have a talented squad this year with a good mix of big hitters and great bowlers so I want to contribute to the team in both areas this season.
“The Melbourne crowds are well-known for being passionate about sport and I’m excited to experience that atmosphere at Etihad Stadium.”
Russell’s stock in the T20 trade has risen appreciably in recent years. He has been a star performer for Jamaica Tallawahs in the West Indies domestic tournament – the Caribbean Premier League – and also represents Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League.
An energetic seamer and a powerful lower-order batsman, Russell has already played 38 One-Day Internationals and 30 Twenty20 Internationals, and Renegades coach Simon Helmot believes he will be an asset to the line up.
“We’ve got some really solid batting talent across the line-up and we were keen to add an explosive all-rounder within our squad,” said Helmot, who coached Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel in this year’s CPL.
“Andre fits that bill and increases our bowling options with the likes of Peter Siddle, Nathan Rimmington, Fawad Ahmed, Aaron O’Brien and James Pattinson as he continues his return from injury.”
The Big Bash runs from December 18th until January 28th.