West Indies winning and the Russell factor - Opinion
West Indies' recent thumping of New Zealand in the ODI’s series brings into the lime light a few players who have outperformed the rest. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sunil-Philip-Narine-c91869’s guile and turn along with Tino Best’s pace has made the headlines for the Windies. Yet since the 2011 Cricket World Cup, the West Indies have been blessed with one man who seems to be delivering on a consistent basis and is sometimes overshadowed by more established names in the team.
Andre Russell’s surge onto the international circuit has been meteoric to say the least. His ability to throw the kitchen sink at every opportunity which presents itself, has proven to be vital in ensuring that the West Indies cross over the line. Many of his innings and bowling spells have been match winning ones and despite the West Indies consistently faltering to outlandish pressure, Russell almost always seems to make a contribution.
His average of 36.62 in ODI cricket is remarkable, given that he normally comes in at 8 or 9. His best score of 92*against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 in a futile cause was one of the finest displays of power hitting that one would see. Such power hitting had evaded the Caribbean on a consistent basis, yet Russell has continued to defy all odds and punish bowlers with impunity.
Yet Russell is far more than just depositing balls out of the park. His contributions with the ball have also stood out. One can recall his memorable contribution in a crunch game for the West Indies in the last World Cup. Russell’s four wickets were crucial in restricting http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ireland-c751, which supplemented his 61 off 34 balls, is another highlight of what he can do for his side when the going gets tough.
Russell is almost always brewing with enthusiasm. His zeal for the game is never in question. As a bowler, his delivery stride and silver chain beaming into the batsman’s eyes, is reminiscent of the days when the West Indies wanted to win and win badly. This approach is in stark contrast to shrugging one’s shoulders and believing that all will definitely be lost when a precarious situation is confronted. Yet for Russell, anything seems possible and despite the situation which he would always back his ability to win games.
This ability was on view in the final ODI against New Zealand at Basseterre. West Indies were struggling to even reach the 200 mark, and there was plenty of whispering regarding a respectable 3-2 defeat to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Russell-c87177’s contribution in that game, but in truth, without that innings West Indies could have easily lost the match.
Body language for any player counts, and being purposeful is an added advantage. The belief in bowling the opposition over or batting them out of the competition helps in materializing victories from nowhere. What Russell has however, is not simply intent. He has the talent to back it up and like Angelo Matthews of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758, he can definitely be a match winning all rounder for the long term.
This current http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 lineup has an array of players who can bat and bowl but not everyone performs in both departments on a consistent basis. For Russell however, picking up key wickets and scoring valuable runs, will soon become a reason as to why he would become indispensable.
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