Windies' Russell set for World Twenty20

Andre Russell looks set to play in the World Twenty20 after the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission said on Friday the West Indies and Sydney Thunder allrounder would not be suspended pending a hearing into his "anti-doping whereabouts" rule violation.

The 27-year-old, who was named in the West Indies squad for the World Twenty20 in India that starts next week, has missed three doping tests within a 12-month period and faces a possible two-year ban from cricket if found guilty.

"The Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission has referred the matter regarding Mr Andre Russell to the Independent Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel," JADCO executive director Carey Brown said in a statement on Friday.

"The Commission is awaiting a date for the hearing. Mr Russell has not been provisionally suspended."

Precedent would suggest that the panel, chaired by Kent Pantry, is unlikely to set a hearing date until long after the World Twenty20 is concluded on April 3.

Russell, who also helped West Indies win the 2012 World Twenty20, is therefore likely to be available for the opening Super 10 match against England in Mumbai on March 16.

Athletes must tell their local anti-doping agency where they will be for at least one hour each day to facilitate drug tests, World Anti-Doping Agency rules state.

If an athlete misses three drug checks within a 12-month period, that counts as a positive test.

Russell, who last month helped Islamabad United win the Pakistan Super league and was named man of the tournament, also plays for the Sydney Thunder in the KFC Big Bash League and Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League.

The allrounder was instrumental in the Thunder's run to the BBL|05 title, and the BBL club said in a statement they were monitoring the situation. 

"There is a clear process to go through and we will not be commenting until it is completed."

With 16 wickets in 10 games, Russell was the equal second-highest wicket-taker of the tournament with Adelaide Strikers import Adil Rashid - two wickets behind teammate Clint McKay on 18.

Russell also chipped in with the bat, scoring 185 runs at a blistering strike rate of 187.

Those performances earned Russell a spot in the BBL|05 Team of the Tournament.