"I Can’t Wait To Be Part Of The Big Bash League Again This Summer" - West Indian All-Rounder Andre Russell Returns To Melbourne Renegades For BBL 12 Season

The Melbourne Renegades have signed world-class West Indian all-rounder Andre Russell ahead of the BBL12 season. The big hitter has committed to the Renegades’ first four games, with number one draft pick English all-rounder Liam Livingstone, who was picked in the Test squad, unavailable due to international duties.

Russell was initially passed over by BBL clubs in the first foreign player draft on August 28 since he could only be recruited as a $340,000 platinum choice and would only be available until early January before joining the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the UAE’s new International League T20 league.

Speaking to the Renegades’ official website, Russell said that he is excited to be back playing for the Melbourne-based franchise and that he will do everything to help the side get off to a good start in the tournament.

I Love Playing In Australia – Andre Russell

“I can’t wait to be part of the Big Bash League again this summer,” Russell said.

“I’m excited to be back in red and will be doing everything I can to help the Melbourne Renegades start the tournament with a bang. I love playing in Australia and I’m looking forward to seeing all the Renegades fans turn out at Marvel Stadium and in Geelong.”

Russell, who has played in 428 T20 cricket matches, is one of the game’s most experienced players and will play for the Renegades in their games against the Heat (December 15 and 21), Thunder (December 18), and Hurricanes (Christmas Eve) in Hobart. He has scored more than 7000 runs with a strike rate of just under 170 and taken 381 wickets.

He made his BBL debut with the Renegades in Season 4, and this will be his second stint with the team. This will be his fourth season in the league, having previously played for the Sydney Thunder and, most recently, the Melbourne Stars.

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