Lot of players ‘are just not interested in playing Test cricket’: Andre Russell

West Indies’ talismanic all-rounder Andre Russell reckons many players are not interested in playing Test cricket. In the world of T20 leagues, more and more players are getting attracted to play in the shortest format and the red-ball format has taken a backseat for many of them.

Recently Russell had said his body can’t keep up with the adversities of Test cricket. Not only Russell, but India’s all-rounder Hardik Pandya hasn’t featured in the longest format since 2018. Pandya has had injury woes and he wants to focus on the limited-overs formats.

“I don’t think it’s the money, I don’t think money is the issue. Based on the amount of T20 and leagues around the world, I think a lot of players are just not interested in playing Tests,” he told Press Association in a recent interview.

Russell added that players want to compete at the top level and money is not the reason that Test cricket is taking the backburner for many cricketers.

“As long as you can do well from contracts outside your nation I think they are going to grab that opportunity but everyone wants to play on the big stage. So, if the big stage comes in Test cricket, I know youngsters will be happy to play. I just don’t think it’s about money or anything like that.”

Meanwhile, Russell made his Test debut against Sri Lanka back in 2010. He could only score two runs and could only pick up a solitary wicket. It proved to be Russell’s last Test appearance for the Windies.

West Indies are currently hosting South Africa in a two-match Test series. The first Test match ended in a draw at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain with the visitors dominating the show.