West Indies allrounder joins Jacques Kallis and Shane Watson at the Sydney Thunder
Russell joins Windies BBL|05 influx
Andre Russell will be one of six West Indians to play in the KFC Big Bash League this summer having signed with the Sydney Thunder.
The allrounder, who has played one Test, 51 one-dayers and 34 Twenty20s for West Indies, is the Thunder's second international player to be signed for the tournament's fifth edition, joining South African star Jacques Kallis.
Russell will add some much needed spark with the bat to the western-Sydney based outfit, who were unable to score at more than a run a ball in three of their eight matches last year.
Russell strikes at a rate of more than 130 per 100 balls for the West Indies in one-day cricket, while his strike-rate balloons out to 167.6 in domestic Twenty20 matches.
"I'm excited about joining the club, I've seen the squad that (captain) Mike Hussey and Paddy Upton (coach) are putting together and it is very strong," Russell said.
"I'm looking forward to playing in the same side as Jacques Kallis and Shane Watson, who are two of the most damaging all-rounders in the white ball game.
"I think this team can go all the way in BBL|05, and play some really exciting cricket while we do it."
Fellow West Indies players Keiron Pollard (Adelaide Strikers), Samuel Badree (Brisbane Heat), Darren Sammy (Hobart Hurricanes), Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo (both Melbourne Renegades) will also play in the BBL.