West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell insists he remains very interested in being part of the team’s ICC T20 Cricket World Cup plans but expects Cricket West Indies (CWI) to also respect his terms.

The 34-year-old has been one of the most controversial names when it comes to West Indies cricket team selection over the past few years.  The player has not represented the team since last year’s ICC T20 World Cup, with the unit having played several series since.  Despite taking part in several T20 leagues around the world, Russell has not been available to represent the West Indies.

The issue has been a source of frustration for fans as well as Windies coach Phil Simmons who recently expressed his discontent with the issue.  While insisting that he remains eager to represent the team, Russell pointed out that there is also the interest of both himself and his family to consider.

 "I always want to play and give back. But at the end of the day, if we are not agreeing on certain terms...they (CWI) have to respect my terms as well. At the end of the day, it is what it is,” Russell told Sky Sports.

 "We have families and we have to make sure that we give our best opportunity while we have one career. It's not like I can start over again. I'm 34 and I want to win another World Cup -- or two more -- for West Indies because at the end of the day, I'm here now, and I'm just taking it day by day," he added.

"Of course, of course. The maroon is all over. Honestly, I have two franchise hundreds and I wish those hundreds were actually playing for West Indies. I don't regret saying this just now. I really enjoyed playing for Jamaica Tallawahs but those two hundreds, it would be more special coming in international cricket.”

Russell is expected to return to the Caribbean to take part in the upcoming edition of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).  It remains to be seen whether the player will then be included as a part of the T20 World Cup squad for the tournament in Australia later this year.

Deandra Dottin’s unbeaten 68 proved to be in vain as Manchester Originals’ Women went down by seven wickets with a ball to spare against Northern Superchargers (Women) in a thrilling encounter at Leeds on Sunday.

A century from Guyanese batsmen Rampertab Ramnauth and a half-century and Shamar Yearwood were the star performances of day one of the third round of matches in the West Indies Rising Stars U19 Championship.

At Arnos Vale, Jamaica, currently third in the standings with 21 points and Guyana fourth with 19.8 points, entered this third-round encounter seeking to push up the standings for the first and second-placed positions ahead of the final round.

After Jamaica won the toss and sent Guyana into bat, the Guyanese openers got a solid start before Tonnani Ceasar (19) was dismissed with the score on 49 in the 16th over.

However, Ramnauth with 107 (170 balls, 11x4, 2x6) controlled and steadied the Guyanese innings. He shared in a crucial 114-run third wicket stand with Shamar Yearwood before he was dismissed with the score on 195 in the 54th over.

Rain interrupted play initially and action was extended until pm. After the tea interval, Jamaica got two quick wickets on resumption as Guyana slipped from 195-3 to 225-5 in the 76th over. Guyana eventually closed on 281-6 in 89 overs.

The left-handed Yearwood whose unbeaten knock of 86 (194 balls, 7x4) quickly resurrected control of Guyana’s innings sharing in a 51-run sixth wicket alliance with Alvin Mohabhir (19).

The highlight of Yearwood’s unbeaten knock so far was in the 78th over when smashed four boundaries off medium-pace bowler Justin Walters.

Left-arm spinner Alex Hinds with economical figures of (25-7-53-3) was the pick of the Jamaican bowlers.

Meanwhile, at Park Hill, a fighting half-century from Windwards opener Stephan Pascal (52) and a patient innings of 43 by middle-order batter Kirk Murray, could not prevent the Windward Islands from being routed for 152 runs in 62 overs by Barbados.

The Bajans, who are currently the competition table leaders ended the day on 11-0. They did not let the regular rain intervals affect them as a complete team bowling performance in utilizing bowling-friendly conditions combined to skittle the Windward Islands batters.

Jayden Roberts 3-42 and Tariq Oneale 3-21 were the primary destroyers while Johann Layne 2-38 and left-arm spinner Nathan Sealey 2-12, also contributed.

At Cumberland, Trinidad & Tobago entered this third round needing a strong performance to move up in the points standings.

However, on the rain-interrupted day, it was second placed Leeward Islands in a game watched by Leeward Islands Cricket Board (LICB) president and CWI Director Enoch Lewis, that have taken early advantage.

After winning the toss and sending Trinidad into bat, they restricted the young side to 122-5 after 62 tight overs.

Distance runner Adelle Tracey was delighted to celebrate her first medal for Jamaica, a bronze, in the women’s 800m, at the 2022 NACAC Championships in the Bahamas on Saturday.

The athlete, who switched allegiance from Great Britain to Jamaica in June, made her debut at the IAAF World Championships but was unable to take part in the Commonwealth Games earlier this month due to protocols surrounding the international transfer.

The athlete was, however, able to return to the track for the NACAC Games where she finished third in the women’s 800m behind the US pair of Ajee and Allie Wilson.  Ajee finished just ahead of her compatriot Allie in a  photo finish 1:58.47 to 1:58.48.

The Jamaican finished third in 1:59.54 only her second time under 2 minutes, behind her personal best, which came at the IAAF World Championship in Eugene, Oregon in July.  Tracey was delighted with the result and performance.

“Ajee set a really tough pace from the get-go, that was great for me because I actually ran my second fastest time.  It was very hot today, it’s super windy.  I just made it hard but there is a lot of travel in my legs,” Tracey said after the race.

  “I was kind of hoping it would have been a bit more tactical but that was a really honest race and there are some really fast girls in there so I’m really happy with it,” she added.

The distance runner was also delighted to have made the trip.

"It feels like a really special place and this is my first medal as a Jamaican athlete as well, so, I really love the Bahamas.”

The Jamaicans also picked up other medals on the night when Olympic bronze medalist Megan Tapper claimed silver in the women’s 100m hurdles and another bronze for Orlando Bennett in the men’s 110m hurdles.

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