Russell takes his leave as T20 World Cup preparation comes into focus

This series marks the beginning of something - the build towards next year's World Cup in India and Sri Lanka - but the first two matches are also an ending: Andre Russell will retire from international cricket after the Jamaica leg of matches, another member of the powerhouse West Indies T20 era who has called time.

Russell was part of both the 2012 and 2016 T20 World Cup triumphs for West Indies, one of finest hours coming in the latter of those when he made vital runs against India and claimed nine wickets in the tournament. It took a while for Russell to click in T20Is: until the end of 2015 he averaged 11.52 with the bat (strike-rate 122.01) and 48.90 with the ball from 33 matches. Since then, in 49 matches, he has averaged 28.63 with a strike-rate of 177.11 and claimed 50 wickets at 26.56.

But he won't be around for an attempt at a third World Cup title, instead opting to bow out on his home ground at Sabina Park where he can expect a hero's welcome over the next few days.

For two matches, Russell will be part of a West Indies' batting order that, on paper, looks more formidable than the Test line up that recently crumbled for 27 albeit they are also without Nicholas Pooran who recently ended his international career. However, they have won just two of their last 16 T20Is including 3-0 sweeps against Bangladesh and England.

Meanwhile, Australia have been light on T20s since the last World Cup with just nine schedule matches (one of which against England was abandoned) but this series begins a run of 16 fixtures leading into the next edition. This isn't a full-strength squad with Travis Head, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc rested - all of whom will likely feature in the World Cup - but it retains many of the key T20 personnel and is an important opportunity for captain Mitchell Marsh to bring the side together.

Form guide

West Indies WLLLL (last five completed T20Is, most recent first)
Australia WWWLW

Moving away from Russell for a moment, Evin Lewis will have some fond memories of Sabina Park. In the only other T20I he has played at the venue he hammered 125 not out off 62 balls against India in 2017. His most recent T20I innings brought 91 off 44 balls against Ireland. In four matches against Australia, which all came in 2021, he has made 139 runs at a strike-rate of 182.89 - his highest against any side he has faced more than once.

Mitchell Owen may not get his chance straightaway but there will be a lot of interest in how he performs following a standout BBL last season which included his breathtaking century in the final. There is a squeeze for batting spots at the top of the order so it may be he needs to find a home lower order. "It's probably a little bit of a vibe," Owen said. "Just looking at the top order and the talent and the skill and the experience that we have there. If I get given an opportunity, I don't really care where it is. I'm just happy to be playing for this team."

Jewel Andrew and Jediah Blades are uncapped at T20I level while Matthew Forde will become Russell's replacement. Seven members of the squad have been playing for Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Global Super League, the final of which only finished on Friday night, and it's understood their journey to Jamaica may involve a private jet so they can reach on Saturday.

West Indies squad: Shai Hope (capt), Jewel Andrew, Jediah Blades, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd

Australia will likely try various combinations during the series as they assess options for the T20 World Cup. There is a chance that Glenn Maxwell and Tim David could swap roles in the order with the former becoming a finisher. Spencer Johnson was originally in the squad but has been withdrawn with a back problem.

Australia squad: Mitchell Marsh (capt), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitch Owen, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa

It remains to be seen how the white ball reacts under the Sabina Park floodlights compared to the pink one, but there is unlikely to be as much grass left on the pitch as there was for the Test match. There is the chance of a shower or two.