Russell completes stunning rescue act

West Indian star Andre Russell has completed one of the great all-round individual Twenty20 performances in the Caribbean Premier League, guiding his side Jamaica Tallawahs to a remarkable victory with a four and a six from the final two balls.

It is the second time in this edition of the CPL that a match has been won with a six from the final ball, after Darren Bravo’s amazing effort for Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel earlier in the tournament.

Playing against Guyana Amazon Warriors, Russell took a wicket and finished with 1-10 from two overs, and also grabbed three outfield catches, one a superb diving effort at long on.

Jamaica then stumbled badly in their pursuit of a moderate target of 138.

Skipper Chris Gayle managed 22 at the top of the order, while Australian Adam Voges (12) was the only other player to reach double figures before Russell teamed up with Englishman Owais Shah.

At that point, the score was 4-62 after 13.2 overs – leaving the equation at a highly improbable 76 from 40 balls.

Russell took it upon himself to play the lead act, blasting a half century from 23 balls to spring life back into the Tallawahs’ chase.

With 13 needed from the final over, bowled by New Zealander Jimmy Neesham, the pair could only scramble three runs from the first four deliveries.

It left Russell on strike, needing 10 to win.

The first ball, Neesham’s fifth of the over, was blasted through cover for four, leaving Russell with his shot at winning the match from the final delivery.

And the West Indian duly obliged, sending the ball over deep midwicket and guaranteeing his side a place in the final four of the tournament.