Russell made a stunning comeback after two years, leading West Indies to an easy victory at Kensington Oval. With three wickets for 19 runs in four overs, the 35-year-old played a crucial role in bowling out England for 171. Despite a mid-innings wobble, Russell, along with captain Rovman Powell, secured the win with a quick 29 not out. Russell’s exceptional innings of 14 balls, featuring two fours and two sixes, sealed the victory with a sublime shot over backward point. West Indies hit a total of 14 sixes in the match, including two impressive shots from opener Kyle Mayers.

“Life is so funny,” man-of-the-match Russell said.

“Since when I got selected for the West Indies team I’ve been dreaming for two weeks now — and I was dreaming of being man of the match.”

Jos Buttler, the England captain, regretted his team’s missed opportunity to capitalize on a solid beginning to their innings, highlighted by a 77-run opening partnership.

“From the position we were in, we were looking for a score of 200,” said Buttler, who scored 39 while fellow opener Phil Salt put on a stylish 40 off 20 balls.

“We want to keep pushing the boundaries and trying to be as positive as we can.

“But it’s about finding ways to keep scoring in that manner, getting those extra 20, 25 runs in an unfashionable way.”

The next match in the series is in Grenada on Thursday.

Summary of scores:

England: 171 all out in 19.3 overs (P. Salt 40, J. Buttler 39, L. Livingstone 27; A. Russell 3-19, A. Joseph 3-54)

West Indies 172-6: (K. Mayers 35, S. Hope 36, R. Powell 31 not out, A. Russell 29 not out; R. Ahmed 3-39, A. Rashid 2-25)

Outcome: West Indies win by four wickets

Series Standing: West Indies lead the five-match series 1-0.

Russell’s last time playing for the West Indies was in 2021 at the T20 World Cup in the UAE and Oman. Known for his T20 expertise, Russell has an impressive record, scoring nearly 8000 runs at a striking rate of 167 and taking over 400 wickets in T20 matches. Matthew Forde earns his spot in the squad after standing out in recent ODI series against England, and Sherfane Rutherford gets a call-up to highlight the team’s focus on emerging talent. Spinner Gudakesh Motie returns after recovering from an injury during the India Series.

These additions bring depth and dynamism to the West Indies squad as they prepare to face England in the upcoming T20I series. The West Indies won a 3-2 T20I series against India in August, but for the England series, players like Johnson Charles, Obed McCoy, Odean Smith, and Oshane Thomas, who played in the successful series, are left out.

Shai Hope is named vice-captain of the T20I team under captain Rovman Powell, adding to his role as captain of the West Indies ODI team. Adjustments to the squad may happen before the fourth and fifth T20Is in Trinidad on December 19 and 21.

West Indies Squad:

Rovman Powell (Captain),Shai Hope (Vice-Captain),Jason Holder,Shimron Hetmyer,Kyle Mayers,Romario Shepherd,Brandon King,Brandon Kingn,Matthew Forde,Roston Chase,Akeal Hosein,Alzarri Joseph,Gudakesh Motie,Sherfane Rutherford,Andre Russell.

West Indies vs. England T20I Series Schedule:

1st T20I: December 12, Kensington Oval, Barbados
2nd T20I: December 14, National Stadium, Grenada
3rd T20I: December 16, National Stadium, Grenada
4th T20I: December 19, Brian Lara Academy, Trinidad
5th T20I: December 21, Brian Lara Academy, Trinidad