"Warrior" Andre Russell fit to take on South Africa, says West Indies assistant Roddy Estwick

Russell’s return to the 50-over fold for West Indies has been one of the early highlights of the tournament

West Indies assistant coach Roddy Estwick has played down fears over the fitness of star pair Andre Russell and Chris Gayle.

Russell limped his way through his bowling spell against Australia on Thursday, while holding the knee that he has previously experienced problems with.

Gayle, meanwhile, appeared to be in some discomfort during the West Indies’ first game against Pakistan. However, he came through the defeat against Aaron Finch’s side unscathed, even if his dismissal was the subject of some debate.

“Andre will be fine,” Estwick said, speaking ahead of West Indies' game against South Africa. “Andre is a warrior, he is a soldier. He's a strong man mentally, you know, and he will be up for the game.

“He's been really good for us. When we sat down and had our plans, we didn't expect him to bowl as much as he's been doing, but he's been brilliant, so no problems at all with Andre.”

Russell’s return to the 50-over fold for West Indies has been one of the early highlights of the tournament. His sharp spell that proved so crucial in the demolition of Pakistan came in just his second one-day international since 2015.

As for Gayle – the self-appointed Universe Boss, Estwick is equally confident in the 39-year-old’s fitness. Gayle, of course, is set to retire from ODI cricket at the end of the World Cup.

“It's a very long tournament,” said Estwick. “Remember it's nine games spread over six weeks and the games are coming thick and fast so you have to manage everybody.

“If we manage the players, you have to keep them fit and ready for the game. The thing about it is that your body and mind is strong and you are ready to execute so Chris is Chris. He's got years of experience. He will know what he needs to do to come out tomorrow and execute.”

Estwick, a former fast bowler himself, also spoke about the importance of both remembering and separating the past greats of West Indian cricket.

“We can't keep looking back,” he explained. “We have to respect the past, you know. Our great bowlers of the past obviously are very important in our history. But what we've got now, this group of bowlers now, they have got to find their own identity.

“They have got to find their own way. They can speak to all the great ex-fast bowlers. I saw a few of them talking to Ian Bishop earlier. And I'm sure when Joel Garner and Michael Holding are in town they will be speaking to them.

“Every West Indian is in this. This is big for the Caribbean people. One thing that we have been stressing is to go out and put a smile on the people's faces in the Caribbean.

"Obviously, economically we are struggling a little bit so we want people to wake up in the morning at five o'clock and six o'clock with a smile on their face, seeing West Indians playing good cricket.”

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