Russell aiming to set a high bar, rich legacy

KOLKATA, India (CMC): Global trotting Twenty20 superstar Andre Russell says his ultimate goal is to create a rich legacy in cricket's shortest format by setting the bar as high as he possibly can.

The West Indies all-rounder was speaking in a post-match interview after a small but impressive cameo with the bat and brilliant death bowling that spurred Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to an exciting seven-run victory over Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Wednesday.

Russell lashed 16 from 10 balls at the death as KKR rallied to 164 for three and crippled Kings XI run chase with a fiery opening spell that reduced them to 13 for three in the fourth over.

"This is what I really work hard for. I am an all-rounder. I know my job is not very easy. My job is very hard," said the Jamaican cricketer.

"So I don't have a problem batting until the end then coming and bowl the first over of the innings and bowl the last over. I don't mind doing it."

Russell, who started his innings in the 17th over, belted a four and a six in a 27-run third wicket partnership and returned to capture four wickets for 20 runs from his four overs.

With Kings XI needing 12 runs from the final over, Man-of-the- Match Russell conceded just four runs and also effected a run-out and grabbed his fourth wicket.

"I think as a youngster part of my legacy I plan to leave behind, I want to set the bar as high as possible. So I love these challenges," said Russell, a member of the West Indies team that defeated England in the finals to regain the T20 World Cup recently.

"I enjoy bowling in this moment where you know it is either I can win the game for my team, or if it goes the other way, I learn from it and take a positive from it knowing next time what can I do different. So I enjoy the load and I just want to go from strength to strength."

With the victory, KKR joined new boys Gujarat Lions on 12 points but topped the standings courtesy of a superior net run rate.