Russell's lawyer disputes anti-doping charge

Andre Russell's lawyer has disputed the Jamaican Anti-doping Commission's (JADCO) claim that the West Indies allrounder had missed three dope tests in a 12-month period, resulting in a violation of the whereabouts clause.

According to The Jamaica Gleaner , Russell's lawyer Patrick Forster claimed at the hearing of an independent panel on July 20 that his client had received correspondence from JADCO for only twice - January to March, 2015 and July to September, 2015 - for allegedly missing the out-of-competition doping tests.

Forster requested JADCO's lawyer to make available the Commission's third correspondence which notified Russell of his transgression. The tribunal panel chairman Hugh Faulkner then asked JADCO to provide documentary evidence of Russell's third filing failure, following which it was agreed that JADCO would provide details on Monday.

JADCO has until August 10 to serve their files, while the deadline for Russell's team is September 7. The hearing is set for September 19 and 20.

In March this year, JADCO said Russell had reportedly missed three dope tests in a 12-month period, which equated to a failed test under doping laws. Athletes are required make their whereabouts known to local anti-doping agencies to facilitate testing under the WADA code and face a ban of up to two years if found guilty of repeatedly missing them.

Russell, 28, has been a leading player in the T20 format in recent times. He played a crucial role in West Indies winning the 2016 World T20 title in March and April, and is a key performer in domestic leagues around the world.

Russell was part of winning campaigns for Sydney Thunder in the 2015-16 Big Bash League and for Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League in February. He is currently playing for Jamaica Tallawahs in CPL 2016.