Jamaica and West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell will play in the 2022-2023 season of the Australian Big Bash T20 league despite being overlooked at the overseas draft in August.

This after signing with Melbourne Renegades as a short-term replacement for platinum signing Liam livingstone.

Russell who was overlooked in the draft in part due to his limited availability and high price tag will play in Melbourne’s first four matches after Livingstone was ruled out of the early part of the tournament, having been a surprise selection in England’s test squad to tour Pakistan in December.

It will be his second stint as a renegade, having played 7 games in the 2014-2015 season….and 4th overall in the competition after previous campaigns with Sydney Thunder and most recently the Melbourne Stars last summer.

The 34 year old, a veteran of 428 t20 games, will suit up for the Renegades against the Brisbane Heat on December 15 and 21, Sydney Thunder on December 18 and the Hurricanes in Hobart on Christmas Eve.

The Melbourne Renegades squad which will be led by captain Nic Maddinson also includes another West Indian in Akeal Hosein plus the likes of Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh.