Russell returns to West Indies T20I side for first two South Africa clashes

The talismanic all-rounder was included in the 13-member squad by the Cricket West Indies selection panel for the first two T20Is against South Africa. Russell last represented West Indies in March 2020 in a T20I series against Sri Lanka.

Roger Harper, the lead selector, hailed Russell as an impact player who could potentially change the game with both the bat and ball, and stressed the importance of this five-match T20I series heading into the ICC Men's T20 World Cup later this year.

"Andre Russell will add that ‘X’ factor to the team," said Harper. "He is an impact player with both bat and ball, and lends greater depth in both departments.

"The aim is to build on the performance against Sri Lanka earlier this year, to build confidence, while determining our best squad and team as we run into the ICC T20 World Cup."

West Indies had named an 18-man provisional squad for the upcoming series last month – Sheldon Cottrell, Shimron Hetmyer, Akeal Hosein, Oshane Thomas, and Hayden Walsh Jr were the five who missed out in the final squad for the first two T20Is.

The first T20I between West Indies and South Africa will be played on 26 June at the National Cricket Stadium in St George's, Grenada.

West Indies head into the series having come up short against South Africa in the Test series. The Proteas dominated the hosts in the two-match series, winning the first Test by 158 runs and then registering an innings-and-63-run victory to complete the rout.

The two teams last clashed in T20Is five years ago in the Super10 stage of 2016 ICC T20 World Cup where West Indies emerged victorious in a low-scoring encounter. West Indies eventually went on the win the World Cup, courtesy a Carlos Brathwaite special in the final against England.