BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Exciting West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell could face a doping ban after missing three doping tests within a 12-month period, media reports said yesterday.
The 27-year-old Jamaican, a much sought-after Twenty20 specialist, failed to make himself available for the tests and under World Anti-Doping Agency rules, this constitutes a positive finding.
Once found guilty, Russell could be banned for up to two years
“We received notification of Russell’s violation about two weeks ago and I’ve appointed a panel to hear his case,” Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission independent disciplinary panel chairman Kent Pantry was quoted as saying.
The West Indies Cricket Board said it was aware of the situation.
The globe-trotting Russell has turned out in almost every global domestic tournament over the last 12 months, playing in the Indian Premier League, the Caribbean Premier League, the South African Ram Slam, the Bangladesh Premier League and the Australian Big Bash.
Only last month, he helped Islamabad United capture the inaugural Pakistan Super League title.
Russell is currently with the West Indies squad in the United Arab Emirates where he is preparing for the Twenty20 World Cup later this month in India.
Last week, he was named as a global ambassador for Nissan by the Japanese automaker.
