Windies star facing suspension extension

Banned West Indies star Andre Russell could have his punishment extended by an extra year after the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission confirmed they’ve appealed his original suspension.

Russell copped a 12-month playing ban last month after being found guilty of a doping whereabouts violation.

The allrounder, who’s played for the Sydney Thunder in the last two editions of the KFC Big Bash League, hasn’t commented on the ruling but his lead attorney had expressed relief Russell avoided a maxiumum two-year ban after the verdict was handed down.

Quick Single: Russell banned for doping violation

But JADCO chief executive chief executive Carey Brown told Reuters on Wednesday the organisation intended take the matter to an appeals tribunal in a bid to extend the suspension to 24 months.

The two-time Twenty20 World Cup winner was revealed to have committed the violation after registering three filing failures in 2015. That constitutes a failed drugs test under World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules.

WADA regulations state that athletes across all sports must inform their local anti-doping agencies where they will be for at least one hour each day to facilitate drug tests.

Russell’s original ban begun from January 31 2017, meaning he would be unavailable for BBL|07 and this year’s Indian Premier League. A two-year sanction would rule also him out of the ensuing editions of both tournaments.

Sydney Thunder director of cricket Mike Hussey told cricket.com.au last month that Russell "been to hell and back" dealing with the anti-doping charge and recent injury issues. 

Quick Single: Hussey 'devastated' by Russell's ban

"I feel for him. He's been going through a really tough time of late with all the 'whereabouts' saga going on and he's been waiting to hear the finding of that hearing,” Hussey said.

"I want him to go away and get better physically but also mentally. 

"Hopefully get this saga over and behind him, he gets cleared and he can get on living his life and getting back to really enjoying his cricket again. 

"He's been to hell and back. 

"I have a lot for empathy for him, not as in I know what he's feeling, but I think at times people are too quick to judge him. 

"He's gone through a really tough time and I just want him to get better and get his life back on track."