West Indian powerhouse Andre Russell is determined to fulfil his goal of a contract clean sweep when his Melbourne Renegades take on the Hurricanes in Hobart on Saturday night.
Russell, who signed a four-match deal with the Renegades after being overlooked in the draft, was noncommittal about the possibility of an extension, with Kiwi blaster Martin Guptill set to take his place and veteran Shaun Marsh set to play after overcoming a calf injury.
Having already helped the men in red to three wins from their first three games this season – their best start in 10 years – Russell has one more game left in his contract before he links up with the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders next month in the newly formed UAE-based International League T20.
“The plan was to actually come here and give the Renegades a good start,” he said after his man-of-the-match 57 against Brisbane on Wednesday night.
“When I was talking to my agent about the contract and four games, I was like, ‘OK, it would be amazing to leave with four wins and we are on the right road’.”
When asked whether the Renegades had tried to make a last-ditch effort to extend his contract, Russell laughed: “Nothing has been discussed, but at the end of the day, a contract is a contract, so at the end of day I’ll leave that to discuss with my agent … I’ll see about that, I’ll see about that.”
The highlight of Russell’s blistering 42-ball knock against the Heat was a six that went out of the ground, and he admitted the big hit gave him “a little goosebump”.
Aaron Finch is also in form with the bat for the Renegades, and after a poor T20 World Cup, he has enjoyed a resurgence in form, playing important roles in Melbourne’s last two wins.
Russell said there was no reason why Finch’s new role of coming in at No.4 couldn’t suit him for the remainder of the season.
“Every time I see Finchy, I see Finchy as an opener, to take on the first six or the first four overs, just back himself and just go over the top, play shots,” Russell said.
“But when you play a lot of T20s and play a lot of international cricket I think, for leagues like this, you can just show how flexible you are.
“So Finchy with experience, he can bat wherever, so I’m happy for him.”