CRICKETER Andre Russell is calling on fans to make his international send-off a memorable one for him and the West Indies team.

The Jamaican, who announced his international retirement days ago, is to play the opening two Twenty20 (T20) games of the five-match series against Australia at his “home” of Sabina Park tonight and on Tuesday.

While Russell’s nearly 15-year run with the West Indies team will end there, the series will continue with the remaining three contests scheduled for St Kitts. He emphasised that he wants packed stands for both legs of matches.

“I want the fans to come out and rally around the boys and rally around me as well — my last dance in international cricket,” Russell, 37, told the Jamaica Observer after a practice session at Sabina Park on Friday.

“I think I’ve made the people of Jamaica and the Caribbean proud. A lot of fans will not like the idea of me walking away but all good things have to come to an end. I can’t play for West Indies forever, even though I would love to,” the 2012 and 2016 T20 World Cup-winning player said.

“ [I’m] finishing [my international career] here at Sabina Park… [which] I’d say [is] the home of cricket for me, so I’m definitely grateful to get this opportunity.

“As an athlete, when you’ve done well in a sport — the discipline that has remained throughout the years, and all the sacrifices made — it’s just right to get a send-off like this,” the superstar all-rounder passionately explained as his eyes wandered around the venue.

He made his One-Day International (ODI) debut against Ireland in March 2011, before opening his T20 career versus Pakistan a month later.

Russell, who last played an ODI in 2019, represented West Indies 56 times in that format. He has featured in 84 T20 Internationals, acquiring the reputation as one of the world’s most destructive players. He also played one Test match.

He said he walks away knowing that the West Indies T20 future is in good hands.

“When I see the all-rounders that are coming up — Jason Holder is back in the set-up, there’s Matthew Forde, [Romario] Shepherd and all these guys hitting the ball well — they are getting their confidence up. Me leaving [will] give them that… as much playing time as possible, and playing time gives them confidence so I’m happy walking away,” he reasoned.

In an interview with Cricket West Indies (CWI) Media, Russell was nostalgic when assessing his impact on the international game.

He said the 2016 T20 World Cup semi-final against highly-favoured India in Mumbai was a standout moment. He belted an unbeaten, 20-ball 43 that helped the West Indies to a seven-wicket victory.

“Chasing 190 plus in that semi-final in India with the crowd supporting India… [there] was already a bit of pressure but it was a very good wicket. The confidence we had in the changing room and the batters [that] were left to come gave me the freedom to play the role I did,” he said.

— Sanjay Myers