New West Indies squad member, Jamaica's Andre Russell. - file

New West Indies call-up, all-rounder Andre Russell, says former West Indies fast bowling greats, Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose, have been sources of inspiration for him growing up, and he hopes to one day emulate them.

Russell, who after playing integral roles in Jamaica retaining their regional four-day title, and followed up it with a successful stint with the West Indies 'A' team against England and India earlier this year, was one of three fast bowling all-rounders named last weekend in the West Indies 15-man squad for their tour of Sri Lanka next month.

Skipper Darren Sammy

The others are newly-appointed captain Darren Sammy and former vice-captain Dwayne Bravo. The tour includes three Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 international.

"It's a very wonderful feeling to get into the West Indies squad," said Russell, shortly after his man-of-the-match performance of 46 not out and two wickets against the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) on Monday. His display helped put Jamaica into the semi-finals of the ongoing West Indies Cricket Board Regional 50-Overs Tournament.

"Watching Walsh and Ambrose and all these guys growing up, I always wanted to be among their ranks ... to be a great cricketer, and thanks to God I am now given an opportunity," he added.

A native of Bodles Crescent, Old Harbour, St Catherine, the 22 year-old Russell, who stands at 6' 2", and weighs 190 pounds, has so far played 10 matches for Jamaica at the first-class level, averaging 26.39 with the ball, and 22.61 with the bat, including one century - a quick-fire 108 not out against Ireland in the Jamaica Cricket Association's cricket festival of stars, earlier this year.

He has been even more impressive with the bat for Jamaica in one-day matches, averaging 21.34 with the ball, and 42.33 with bat in 12 appearances.

making a name

It is these figures, coupled with the fact that on the recent West Indies' 'A' team tour of England he along with opener Devon Smith were the most outstanding performers, that led the selectors to consider him for Sri Lanka, and according to the former Clarendon College representative, he is excited by the prospect of making a name for himself.

"Being among Chris Gayle and all these guys, and watching them on the TV, I always knew that I had the potential to do as well as they were doing, and as such I kept working hard on my game," he said.

"I am now looking forward to the Sri Lanka tour, where I plan to continue doing what I have been doing. I plan to focus on getting as many wickets and making as many runs as possible, as I know it will be performances that will keep me in the team."