Speaking on his fitness after West Indies’ T20I series victory over England, Andre Russell said that he’ll be “looking like a UFC fighter” for the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Russell, who made his international comeback after more than two years, starred in the 3-2 series victory for the hosts. He produced his best T20I bowling figures in the first match of the series, taking 3-19 off his four overs.

While Russell copped a bit of a pounding in the three games in between, he came back nicely to finish the series with a performance of 2-25 from his four overs. With the bat, he played important cameos of 29 (14) and 14 (10) in the first two games, and followed it up with just his second T20I fifty in the fourth (51 off 25).

Speaking to the broadcasters after the fifth T20I in Trinidad last night (December 21), Russell said that he came into the series from Abu Dhabi and the time difference between the two places was challenging to adapt to.

“As professionals, I am not going to look at an excuse [but] I was coming from Abu Dhabi where you know, it’s like a big time difference. Flying back into Barbados. I tried to stay up as late as possible to make sure that I get enough sleep and I’m fresh for the game.

“When I get to Grenada, I just couldn’t sleep. I [would] start feeling sleepy at 6 am in the morning, which would be the time that I would sleep in Abu Dhabi. So fans won’t know that but I still get the pressure and the backlash and all of that, and it just makes me stronger.”

When asked if he was ready for the 2024 T20 World Cup which is about six months away and scheduled to be held in the Caribbean, Russell said that he was excited and promised to be in much better shape for the event.

“Yeah, I’ll be in better shape to be honest. I’ll be looking like a UFC fighter,” Russell said.

Shai Hope seals the game and the series with a six! 👏

West Indies win by four wickets with four balls to spare! 💥#WIvENG pic.twitter.com/0a7mh9pWny

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) December 21, 2023

During the conversation, the all-rounder repeated a couple of times how much the series victory meant to him. “This series win means so much and it kind of want me to push myself to the limit,” Russell said.

“So, I have a lot of cricket to play. That’s good. When you’re playing cricket, you’re in the competition, then your body is active and not just sitting home waiting for the World Cup. We’re definitely gonna give some teams some good run for their money at the [T20] World Cup.”

West Indies’ next T20 assignment is against Australia in Australia next year.

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