WEST Indies all-round star Andre Russell has admitted that the uncertainty surrounding his future and the possibility of facing anti-doping sanctions has weighed heavily on his mind in recent weeks.The Jamaican faces the possibility of a two-year suspension from the sport of cricket after the doping association in his country (JADCO) claims he has missed three consecutive drug tests.
The infringement is considered to be the equivalent of a failed drug test. The case is currently before a special anti-doping panel.
“It’s not easy, honestly, it’s tough,” Russell told Espn cricinfo.
“When I cross the rope, I definitely block it off my head but then when you go back to your room and you know you have to face reality and know that something is going on like that, it’s kind of stressing and depressing.
But I have an amazing bunch of guys around me. So they keep me occupied, they keep me laughing. I just think that is a very good thing to do while going through something like that,” he added.
The announcement that Russell had committed a violation came in March, ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup, but with a disciplinary panel not yet convened he was free to take part in the tournament. (Sportsmax.com)