ST JOHN'S, Antigua (CMC):

Maybe it's hearing his compatriot and superstar sprinter Usain Bolt repeat it so often, or quite possibly the occasion of playing in the arena that bears the name of one of the true West Indies legends.

But West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell felt compelled to recite the words that may still come back to haunt him for the remainder of his international career.

natural talent

That is, unless he harnesses the enormous natural talent that he obviously possesses, and produces performances similar in nature to his breathtaking innings in the third one-day international against India on Saturday at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.

"When I retire from international cricket, I want to be called a legend," said Russell. "I want to stay here and contribute as much as I can."

Russell, batting at nine, battered eight fours and five sixes in a 64-ball, unbeaten 92 to help West Indies reach a respectable 225 for eight from 50 overs, after they were sent in to bat.

It was an innings that could earn Russell a lucrative contract for the next season of the Indian Premier League, but it still failed to spark West Indies enough to earn them a crucial victory, which would have kept them alive in the five-match series. They now trail 0-3.

"When I went in I was not nervous," he said. "I actually ran all the way to the crease. I was pumped up from the start, and I knew the team needed me in a big way.

"I was batting with a senior partner, so I knew I had enough time to get myself settled, build an innings and get a good score for the team.

"It was set up for me. I was able to get my eye in and then play my natural game. I knew I had the power to clear the boundaries, so I knew once I got the start and batted to the 45th over, I could get the benefits in the last five overs."

significant partnerships

Russell, and indeed, West Indies, were fortunate. He was one of three changes to the home teams line-up, but he proved his value to the side, giving the selectors more headaches about its balance, when he featured in two significant partnerships.

He added 78 for the eighth wicket with Carlton Baugh Jr, and 5, unbroken , with Kemar Roach for the ninth wicket to give West Indies a late boost.

"I felt I played really well," he said. "What made this innings special for me was the fact that it was under great pressure, and it came against India.

"They are the World champions, and to get such a good score against them is a major boost."