CPL 2018: Twitter Erupts as Andre Russell Puts on a Brilliant Effort with Bat and Ball

Jamaica Tallawahs all-rounder, Andre Russell bagged a hattrick before hammering a brilliant hundred against the Trinbago Knight Riders in the 3rd game of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2018.

Meanwhile, Knight Riders banked on their batsmen to post a massive target of 223 runs on the board. While it looked like a really tough job, Russell came to the rescue of his side and this time with the bat.

Jamaica had the worst possible start losing four of their top batsmen within 16 runs. Ali Khan was spectacular with the new ball picking three while Fawad Ahmed chipped in with one. Since then Johnson Charles and Kennar Lewis started to steady the ship for Jamaica but it was soon when Trinbago struck back.

It was the wicket of Charles which brought Andre Rusell to the crease. With the team reeling at 41 for 5, Russell took the charge to the opposition. The bowlers who were riping fruit earlier now looked like a mere club bowler. That’s the power of giant Windies all-rounder.

While everybody thought the game was over, Andre Russell turned the faith of the game single-handedly. He struck 13 sixes and six fours in his unbeaten knock of 121 runs to guide teh Tallawahs home. He 13 sixes meant he has hit the most number of sixes in a CPL inning. His unbeaten knock did the impossible thing for Jamaica guiding them to a four-wicket win.

Previously, when Trinbago was set to cross the 250-run landmark, it was Andre Russell to put the brakes on. He picked three back-to-back crucial wickets in the last over of the innings to keep the target within reach.

As a result, Andre Russell becomes the only 2nd player in T20 history to score a century and take a hat-trick in the same match. Joe Denly achieved the same feat last month in the Vitality Blast.

This is how the Twitter reacted over Andre Russell’s excellent effort:

Andre Russell is only 2nd player in T20 history to score a century and take a hat-trick in the same match. First was Joe Denly last month in Vitality Blast. #CPL #BiggestPartyInSport

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) August 11, 2018

Andre Russell is special ??????

— Carlos Brathwaite (@CRBrathwaite26) August 11, 2018

? for @Russell12A in just 40 balls.

Fastest in the history of @CPL#TKRvJT

— Akhil Gupta ? (@Guptastats92) August 11, 2018

When I grow up I want to be Andre Russell

— Peter Miller (@TheCricketGeek) August 11, 2018

@gradecricketer Andre Russell currently has a hat trick and hundred in the same game and they need 36 off 20, surely he's aiming to just fall short #losingside

— Andrew Verstoep (@Stoops18) August 11, 2018

Andre Russell scored Fastest Century in CPL history
100* runs from just 40 balls 3*4s,12*6s#CPL2018

— Don Cricket ? (@doncricket_) August 11, 2018

Andre Russell and Kennar Lewis' partnership of 161 off just 71 balls is the best ever 6th wicket partnership in T20 cricket. #CPL18 #GetStumped

— Stumped (@stumped_live) August 11, 2018

Jamaica is first team in T20 history to add 150plus runs after the loss of 5th wicket.

From 41-5, they go on to chase 224 with three balls remaining courtesy an unbeaten 121 off 49 balls by Andre Russell, who earlier also took a hat-trick. #CPL

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) August 11, 2018

Andre Russell smashed 40 balls Century when his team chasing 223 in CPL and He came to bat when the score was 41/5…

— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) August 11, 2018

What a knock by Andre Russell. Second century against Trinbago and both coming under tremendous pressure.. chasing 224 from 16 for 4 is very rare and has done it single handedly!!#CPL18

— Gaurav Sundararaman (@gaurav_sundar) August 11, 2018