Andre Russell Retires from International Cricket

July 17, 2025 - West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell has announced his retirement from international cricket. The first two matches of the upcoming five-match home T20 series against Australia will be his last for the team.

West Indies Cricket shared the news of his retirement through a post on social media.

The 37-year-old Russell has been included in the West Indies squad for the series. The first two matches will be played at Sabina Park in Jamaica, which is also his home ground. He will bid farewell to international cricket from his home ground itself.

In a heartfelt statement, Russell said, "Words cannot describe what it meant. Representing the West Indies has been one of the proudest achievements of my life. When I was a kid, I never thought I would reach this stage. But when you start playing and fall in love with the game, you realise what you can achieve. That inspired me to improve, as I wanted to leave my mark in maroon and become an inspiration for others."

Retire on a High

Russell added, "I love playing for the West Indies, and I enjoy playing in front of my family and friends at home. It gives me the chance to showcase my talent and perform even better. I want to end my international career on a high and be a role model for the next generation of Caribbean cricketers."

Career in T20 Internationals

Since 2019, Russell has played only in T20 Internationals for the West Indies. He has played 84 T20I matches, scoring 1,078 runs at an average of 22.00 and a high strike rate of 163.08. He has three half-centuries to his name, with a highest score of 71. As a bowler, he has taken 61 wickets with an average of 30.59. His best bowling performance is 3 wickets for 19 runs.

His retirement comes just seven months before the ICC T20 World Cup, which will be held in India and Sri Lanka in February 2026. He is the second big-name West Indies player to retire recently, after Nicholas Pooran retired from international cricket at the age of 29.

Short International Career 

Russell played only one Test match for the West Indies. In ODIs, he played 56 matches and scored 1,034 runs at an average of 27.21 with a strike rate above 130. He had four half-centuries and a top score of 92 not out. With the ball, he took 70 wickets in ODIs at an average of 31.84. His best ODI bowling performance was 4 wickets for 35 runs.

T20 League Star

Russell is one of the most powerful all-rounders in T20 cricket. He plays in many T20 leagues around the world, including the Indian Premier League (IPL). In total, he has played 561 T20 matches and scored 9,316 runs at an average of 26.39 and a strike rate of over 168. He has scored 2 centuries and 33 half-centuries, with a best score of 121 not out.

As a bowler in T20 leagues, he has taken 485 wickets at an average of 25.85. His best bowling figure is 5 wickets for 15 runs.