YOKOHAMA, Japan (CMC) — Exciting West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell has been named by Japanese automaker, Nissan, as one of its global brand ambassadors.

The 27-year-old Jamaican has emerged as one of the most sought-after players on the global Twenty20 (T20) circuit in recent years, and is currently with West Indies in the United Arab Emirates preparing for the T20 World Cup beginning in India next month.

Russell joins Indian batting star Rohit Sharma, South African speedsters Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada, and New Zealand women’s captain Suzie Bates, who were also appointed Nissan ambassadors this week.

“Nissan is absolutely delighted to welcome this illustrious line-up to the Nissan team as ambassadors,” said Nissan’s corporate vice-president and global head of marketing and brand strategy, Roel de Vries.

“As genuine performers in the shorter form of the game, these players consistently deliver on the big stage. We look forward to working together to bring cricketing excitement to fans worldwide, starting with the ICC World T20.”

Russell has plied his trade in all the major T20 domestic leagues over the last year, turning out in the Indian Premier League, Caribbean Premier League, South African Ram Slam, Bangladesh Premier League, the Australian Big Bash and more recently, the Pakistan Super League.

He already played 188 T20s, gathering 2,669 runs with his audacious right-hand batting and 158 wickets with his lively seamers. He is also a brilliant fielder.

Russell has also morphed into a limited specialist for West Indies, having played 35 T20 Internationals and 51 One-Day Internationals.

His lone Test came back in 2010.