(JAMAICAOBSERVER) KNOWN for his penetrative fast bowling, powerful batting and electric out-fielding, Jamaica Tallawahs all-rounder Andre Russell is keen on elevating his status in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Twenty20 tournament.
Russell, who had to salvage the pride of the team on a number of occasions last season, has so far amassed 422 runs from 19 innings with a strike rate of 195.37, at an average of 42.20, while taking 15 wickets.
The 27-year-old has over the years been relied on to come up with a special innings, which has now seen him master the art of being a match winner. His best scores last season was an unbeaten knock of 62 against Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel, followed by an unbeaten 58, including a last-ball six, that led the Tallawahs to a crucial six-wicket victory over the Guyana Amazon Warriors at Sabina Park.
However, the Jamaica and West Indies fast-bowling all-rounder explained that there is more to come, as he signalled his intentions of surpassing those performances in the June 20-July 26 tournament.
"I know a lot of people will be expecting a lot of me this season, but that is what happens when you excel in what you do... people expect you to better your performances each time. I always tell myself that the sky is the limit, so the aim is to do even better this year," he told the Jamaica Observer in an interview, while on a high school tour in St Catherine on Thursday.
"Once I see where I can win another game, I will; so the fans can expect nothing less but more. Getting the MVP (Most Valuable Player) in the IPL (Indian Premier League) is a big boost for me, and it just goes to show that I am doing wel, so what I need to do is ensure that I keep elevating myself," he added.
Russell's standout performance last season came when he slammed a four and a ferocious last-ball six with the Tallawahs requiring 10 runs from two balls. He pointed out that he relishes the pressure as it propels him into maintaining a high level of consistency.
"My preparation last year was very good, and at that time I was on top of my game; but this year, I am feeling even better in both batting and bowling. I am more confident, more experienced, and getting the opportunity to play under pressure has been a big plus for me, and I am more ready than how I was last year.
"I think a lot of people would want to see me go up the order and to bat longer, but at the same time I enjoy my role that I get to play. If eventually the team wants to promote me up the order and I can put some fire in the middle order, then I have no problem with that. But I think it is always good to have good hitters like myself at the end because that's where a lot of bowlers really come under pressure," he noted.
The 6ft 1in athlete also expressed his confidence that the team can reclaim the title, having won the inaugural season in 2013.
"I think we have a very good chance. I always believe in having a good all-round team, and once we have guys batting all the way down we will be a formidable force. We have acquired some good local and international players that have balanced the team, and we just have to make it count on the day," he explained.
The Jamaica Tallawahs will start their campaign against champions Barbados on June 23 at Kensington Oval. They will then come to Sabina Park where they will contest four day/night games from July 7-12.
The right-hand batsman, who was instrumental in the team's three home-match victories last season, is optimistic that they can repeat the feat.
"I don't want people to come to Sabina Park and leave disappointed, even though we won't always have a good game. Last season I had a bad first game, but made good in the following games. So it is good to know that these people expect a lot from me and I have to make it count, work harder and be prepared to meet those expectations," said Russell, who also goes by the name 'Dre Russ' as a recording artist.
