Andre Russell, a West Indies experienced all-rounder, believes that most Caribbean players are “just not interested in playing Tests” and it is not related to money. Russell opined that with the rise of T20 franchise cricket around the world, red-ball cricket has lost its appeal in terms of attracting young players. Last year, established players like Jason Holder, Nicholas Pooran, and Kyle Mayers declined West Indies central contracts but made themselves available for T20Is. Holder, however, has played in Tests as well.

Russell, who played just one Test in his career, revealed that money is not the concern for turning down the Test opportunity. 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, Russell admitted.

Russell’s comments came after the West Indies’ 3-0 series loss to England, which left them at the bottom of the nine-team World Test Championship standings. Since then, they drew the first Test in Port of Spain against South Africa, despite being behind for most of the match, thanks to rain and South Africa’s bold declaration. The game ended before they could push for a win.

Russell, along with Shimron Hetmyer, Pooran, Rovman Powell, and Kieron Pollard, took part in The Hundred during the last Test against England in late July. Despite being among the league’s highest-paid players, they continued to play The Hundred while the Test series with South Africa was underway. Pollard, Powell, and Pooran have never played Test cricket, Russell played only one Test in 2010, while Hetmyer, who has played 16 Tests, last appeared in 2019.

I’m always excited watching the other West Indian batters, especially when they’re hitting boundary after boundary. 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, Russell added.

Red-ball cricket is not my cookie, I don’t think my body will keep up with Test cricket. But those in the team at the moment are fit enough and taking on the challenge. They had a few moments in the Test series where they could have turned things around. Playing England at home is always going to be hard for the West Indies, he concluded.