West Indian all-rounder Andre Russell has decided to retire from international cricket. Andre Russell, who has been named in the T20I squad for the series against Australia, will only play the first two matches at Sabina Park in his home nation – Jamaica. Matthew Forde has been named Andre Russell’s replacement for the last three T20Is in St. Kitts & Nevis.
The now 37-year-old Andre Russell has made 84 appearances in T20Is for the West Indies with 1078 runs and 61 wickets to his name. Andre Russell was also part of the winning team in the 2012 and 2016 T20 World Cup editions. With 561 T20 appearances across the global franchise circuit, he has amassed 9316 runs at a strike-rate of 168.31 and has taken 485 wickets. The first T20I of the five-match series between West Indies and Australia will be played at Sabina Park in Jamaica on July 21.
WI vs AUS : Previous Performance
The hosts, West Indies, will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing 0-3 whitewash in the red-ball series against Australia. With home advantage and a change in format, the Caribbean nation will aim to reset and start the T20I leg on a winning note. The red-ball series was completely dominated by the visitors Australia. They ended up whitewashing West Indies in a comprehensive manner. West Indies did have patches throughout where they were in authority. However, the Australians managed to dominate decisive portions.
On the other hand, the Aussies enter the series with a fresh-looking squad, led by Mitch Marsh since Pat Cummins has opted to take a break from the white-ball leg. The visitors will feature exciting talents such as Jake Fraser-McGurk, Mitchell Owen, Josh Inglis, and Adam Zampa. With several senior players rested, this series presents an opportunity for youngsters to impress ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026.
With the T20 World Cup arriving in 2026, this bilateral series remains quite vital in the context of the world event. It also serves as a significant moment for the legendary Andre Russell, who is all set to call it a day from international cricket after the first couple of matches.
WI vs AUS : Head to Head
The head-to-head record between the two sides is very even. These teams have played against each other in 22 matches, and both have 11 wins under their belts
| Matches Played | 22 |
| Won By West Indies | 11 |
| Won By Australia | 11 |
| No Result | 00 |
| First-Ever Fixture | June 20, 2008 |
| Most-Recent Fixture | February 13, 2024 |
WI vs AUS : Pitch Report an Weather Conditions
The pitch at Sabina Park, Jamaica is expected to be more favourable to batters in the upcoming T20I series. While the surface offered significant assistance to bowlers during the recent day-night Test match, the conditions are likely to shift for the shorter format. With a fresh setup and white-ball conditions, the encounter on Monday could see high scores and an edge for the batters when they take the centre stage.
Sabina Park has produced some high-scoring matches in T20 cricket. The average score here is around 165, with the batting conditions likely to remain the same throughout 40 overs. The boundaries are not big enough, which makes the job of the bowlers more challenging. However, bowling first can be a good option because of the prediction of rain.
It remains to be seen how the white ball reacts under the Sabina Park floodlights compared to the pink one, but there is unlikely to be as much grass left on the pitch as there was for the Test match. There is the chance of a shower or two.According to the weather prediction, there is a 30 percent chance of rain on Sunday evening in Jamaica. The maximum temperature will be 26°C, and the humidity is likely to be around 60 percent.
WI vs AUS : Big Picture : T20 World Cup preparation begins amid a farewell to Andre Russell
This series marks the beginning of something – the build towards next year’s World Cup in India and Sri Lanka – but the first two matches are also an ending: Andre Russell will retire from international cricket after the Jamaica leg of matches, another member of the powerhouse West Indies T20 era who has called time.
Andre Russell was part of both the 2012 and 2016 T20 World Cup triumphs for West Indies, one of finest hours coming in the latter of those when he made vital runs against India and claimed nine wickets in the tournament. It took a while for Andre Russell to click in T20Is: until the end of 2015 he averaged 11.52 with the bat (strike-rate 122.01) and 48.90 with the ball from 33 matches. Since then, in 49 matches, he has averaged 28.63 with a strike-rate of 177.11 and claimed 50 wickets at 26.56.
But Andre Russell won’t be around for an attempt at a third World Cup title, instead opting to bow out on his home ground at Sabina Park where Andre Russell can expect a hero’s welcome over the next few days.
For two matches, Andre Russell will be part of a West Indies’ batting order that, on paper, looks more formidable than the Test line up that recently crumbled for 27 albeit they are also without Nicholas Pooran who recently ended his international career. However, they have won just two of their last 16 T20Is including 3-0 sweeps against Bangladesh and England.
Meanwhile, Australia have been light on T20s since the last World Cup with just nine schedule matches (one of which against England was abandoned) but this series begins a run of 16 fixtures leading into the next edition. This isn’t a full-strength squad with Travis Head, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc rested – all of whom will likely feature in the World Cup – but it retains many of the key T20 personnel and is an important opportunity for captain Mitchell Marsh to bring the side together.
WI vs AUS : Players in the Spotlight : Evin Lewis and Mitchell Owen
Moving away from Andre Russell for a moment, Evin Lewis will have some fond memories of Sabina Park. In the only other T20I he has played at the venue he hammered 125 not out off 62 balls against India in 2017. His most recent T20I innings brought 91 off 44 balls against Ireland. In four matches against Australia, which all came in 2021, he has made 139 runs at a strike-rate of 182.89 – his highest against any side he has faced more than once.
Mitchell Owen has been confirmed for his international debut. There will be a lot of interest in how he performs following a standout BBL last season which included his breathtaking century in the final. A squeeze for batting spots at the top of the order means his chance will come in the middle order. “Just looking at the top order and the talent and the skill and the experience that we have there. If I get given an opportunity, I don’t really care where it is. I’m just happy to be playing for this team,” Owen said.
WI vs AUS : Vital Stats that matters
- These are the first day-night T20Is at Sabina Park following the recent installation of the floodlights which enabled it to host the pink-ball Test.
- The head-to-head between the teams in T20Is is all square: 11-11. However, West Indies have won only one of the last six.
- Former captain Rovman Powell needs 25 runs to overtake Chris Gayle as West Indies’ second-leading run-scorer in T20Is
WI vs AUS : Team News : Race from Guyana for WI players; Owen to debut
West Indies :
Jewel Andrew and Jediah Blades are uncapped at T20I level while Matthew Forde will become Russell’s replacement. Seven members of the squad have been playing for Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Global Super League, the final of which only finished on Friday night, and it’s understood their journey to Jamaica may involve a private jet so they can reach on Saturday.
West Indies Predicted Playing XI : Evin Lewis, Shai Hope (c & wk), Rovman Powell, Shimron Hetmyer, Jewel Andrew, Jason Holder, Andre Russell, Gudakesh Motie, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Matthew Forde
Australia :
Matt Short has been ruled out of the series with a side strain and Tim David sits out the opening match as he recovers from a hamstring injury. Jake Fraser-McGurk, a late addition to the squad, gets the chance to open and Cooper Connolly slots into the middle order.
Australia Predicted Playing XI : Mitchell Marsh (c), Jake Fraser-McGurk, Josh Inglis (wk), Cameron Green, Glenn Maxwell, Mitch Owen, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa
WI vs AUS Fantasy Playing XI : Shai Hope, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Cameron Green, Shimron Hetmyer, Sherfane Rutherford, Glenn Maxwell, Andre Russell, Sean Abbott, Adam Zampa, Akeal Hossein
WI vs AUS : Probable Top Performers
Probable Best Batter: Mitchell Marsh
Australia captain Mitchell Marsh could be the key batter in the opening clash of the five-match T20I series. Marsh had a stellar IPL 2025 campaign with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and will look to carry that form into the international arena. With over 1500 runs to his name for the Aussies in T20Is, Marsh’s power-hitting will be crucial as he aims to lead from the front and guide his team to victory.
Probable Best Bowler: Akeal Hosein
The left-arm spinner Akeal Hossein could play a pivotal role with the ball for West Indies in the opening T20I. His four-over spell will be crucial, especially in the middle overs, where he can apply pressure and restrict the opposition from accelerating. Hosein has maintained an impressive economy rate of 7.23 across 66 outings, and the hosts will be hoping he can replicate the same to curb the opposition’s batting firepower in the upcoming game.
WI vs AUS : Match Prediction
The West Indies can be very dangerous in this format because of the firepower they have. But the problem is the consistency. Australia look more suited and balanced, and we back them to win this game.
Scenario 1
- West Indies win the toss and opt to bowl first
- Powerplay: 50-60
- AUS: 155-165
- West Indies win the match
Scenario 2
- Australia win the toss and opt to bowl first
- Powerplay: 55-65
- WI: 160-170
- Australia win the match
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