West Indies’ national team coach Phil Simmons on Wednesday reacted on Andre Russell’s inclusion in the Lanka Premier League. Simmons said that he was completely unaware of all the power-hitter taking part in the inaigural T20 tournament in Sri Lanka.
Russell last played for Kolkata Knight Riders in the recently concluded Indian Premier League in the UAE. He did not participate in the white-ball series against New Zealand starting November 26 at Eden Park.
Instead, the all-rounder fled to Sri Lanka to play for the Colombo Kings in the Lanka Premier League in Hambantota. Simmons on the other hand has failed to comprehend why Russell made himself unavailable for the series.
“That’s news to me. I haven’t spoken to him since we came down here to New Zealand. He was at the IPL and I haven’t spoken to him since then. I didn’t know he was in Sri Lanka. I can’t answer your question about that until I know what the whole situation is,” Simmons told ESPNCricinfo.
When Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced the T20I squad for New Zealand series, opener Lendl Simmons, Evin Lewis along with Andre Russell had opt out.
Before that, Russell had also pulled his name out of the Lanka Premier League due to his fitness issues, which he later overturned.
Both LPL and New Zealand vs West Indies series will begin from November 26. LPL will span till December 16 and Russell will be available for the whole tournament.
