“We have won our last two games and now there are only three more games to go. Winning, and winning at the right time is what really counts,” said the big-hitting West Indian all-rounder, before adding that he aims to up the ante as well. “I aim to get myself as ready and fit for the play-offs as I can. I hope to get my range right and try to contribute with both bat and ball.”
The 27-year-old said that the injury to icon player Shane Watson, which saw him ruled out from the remainder of the PSL, is a big loss but was confident that Islamabad can cope with the blow. “It’s a big loss for us, losing Shane Watson. He was already here and had become accustomed to the conditions,” added Russell. “But replacement Dwayne Smith can quickly adjust. With Azhar Mahmood, myself and Brad Haddin as overseas players, we hope to push these guys to the limit and leave everything on the park in order to try and win the PSL.”
Russell was also impressed with the young Pakistani talent on display and revealed that he often shares a few words of advice with them. “There are a few guys here who have impressed me,” he said. “I always tell them to keep a cool head. Don’t get too swell-headed when you score a fifty or take a few wickets or do something fantastic in the field. Try to remain calm and know that in the next game you have to start all over again from zero.”
The West Indian also discussed the way coach Dean Jones and director Wasim Akram have been handling the squad. “We have a professional set-up and they are a bit strict with certain things but I don’t mind that,” he said. “Once things are happening in the right way, there won’t be any problems.”
What has impressed the West Indian about the PSL is the way the fans appreciate the cricket on display. “If you have people in yellow in the stands and we are in red and we hit a six, then you have guys in yellow jumping up and clapping. That is good for cricket,” he said. “In other countries, you only get die-hard fans.”
