North Sound, Antigua – All rounder Andre Russell said that he merely played to his strengths in getting an impressive maiden hundred for the West Indies A Team in their opening Digicel ‘Test’ against Bangladesh A at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Grounds.
“It was a pretty decent wicket to bat on so as long as you get in you just have to bat long, be patient and wait on the balls which allow you to play your shots and that’s what I did,” a beaming Russell said at the end of the day’s play.
He scored a brisk 128 from 140 deliveries as West Indies A finished the day on 352 for 8 from 89.2 overs.
Russell came to the crease with West Indies A in trouble at 131 for 5 and in association with fellow Jamaican Dnaza Hyatt who got 92 before he was run out in a mix up, rebuilt the innings with a 58 run partnership.
Afterwards Russell and Barbadian all rounder Carlos Brathwaite who got 62 put on another 155 runs as the Windies A once again needed a partnership to bring them to a point of safety.
“We needed big partnerships and what we did was try to be positive and stay confident, I back myself because I know I have the strength to get the ball away so when they (the Bangladeshi bowlers) give me the opportunities I made use of them,” said right hander who cracked 18 boundaries and four sixes.
Russell, when on 98, played an audacious reverse sweep to get to his century but said he did not think it was a high risk shot.
“I looked at the field they (Bangladesh) set and they had no fielder at point and based on the area they were bowling to me I backed myself and was being positive so it was like a normal shot to me,” explained the 23 year old fast bowling all rounder.