AntiguaThe Windies Indies Cricket Boards official governing body has released its list of contracted players issued for the period from October 1, 2015 to September 30, 2016 on Saturday, with Russell among an array of players that have favoured the domestic T20 lifestyle not offered new deals.
BBL guns Russell (Sydney Thunder), Darren Sammy (Hobart Hurricanes) and Dwayne Bravo (Melbourne Renegades) werent retained by the Windies, as well as spinner Sulieman Benn and veteran batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul.
Andre Russell has been one of the biggest stars of this summers Big Bash League, but he has failed to earn a new contract from the West Indies Cricket Board for the 2015-2016 period.
Controversial pair Chris Gayle, under fire for his infamous BBL sideline interview, and Sunil Narine, currently suspended from bowling in internationals due to an illegal action, didnt feature on the list, with both having previously turned down contracts from the Windies board.
Russell has been one of the worlds best domestic T20 all-rounders over the past 12 months a title hes proven by his quick bowling and big hitting for the Thunder in BBL05.
Sammy, the national T20 captain, played T20s for the West Indies against Sri Lanka last November but was left out for the preceding ODI series. Benn last represented his nation against England in April 2015, while Chanderpaul hasnt played a Test since he was dropped after scoring just one half-century in 11 innings.
The out-of-favour Bravo was left out of the West Indies squad for the 2015 World Cup, along with Kieron Pollard.
Recent Test debutants Jermaine Blackwood, Leon Johnson, Shane Dowrich, Shai Hope and Rajendra Chandrika all earned contracts, as did leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo and pace pair Shannon Gabriel and Sheldon Cottrell.
However there was no room for all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite, who recently impressed with his counter-attack with the bat in his first two Tests against Australia.
The list of centrally contracted players was increased from 12 to 15 players. Contracted West Indies players retained for October 1, 2015 to September 30, 2016.
Jason Holder, Kraigg Brathwaite, Rajendra Chandrika, Darren Bravo, Marlon Samuels, Denesh Ramdin, Devendra Bishoo, Shannon Gabriel, Jermaine Blackwood, Jerome Taylor, Sheldon Cottrell, Shai Hope, Shane Dowrich, Leon Johnson, Kemar Roach
In: Devendra Bishoo, Shannon Gabriel, Sheldon Cottrell, Jermaine Blackwood, Rajendra Chandrika, Shai Hope, Shane Dowrich, Leon Johnson
Out: Darren Sammy, Andre Russell, Sulieman Benn, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Dwayne Bravo