Russell

Fast bowling all-rounder Andre Russell produced another fine display to put the David Bernard Jr. XI in pole position against Tamar Lambert's XI on yesterday's third day of the second trial match at Melbourne Oval.

Showing good timing and efficiency, the 21-year-old Russell, who has been in and out of the national team since making his debut as a teenager in 2006, made top score of 85, as Bernard Jr's XI, replying to Lambert, XI's first innings score of 182, were dismissed for 473.

Runs in arrears

Facing a huge deficit of 291, Lambert's XI closed the day on 70-1, still 221 runs in arrears. Danza Hyatt, 43 not out, and homeboy Donovan Pagon, 13 not out, will resume batting on today's final day, after first-time invitee Zeniffe Fowler was dismissed for seven.

Earlier, left-arm 'chinaman' bowler Andre Dwyer, bowling with an injured right finger, claimed 3-61, and left-arm orthodox spinner, Nikita Miller, who was the star of the first trial match, took 3-102, as Bernard Jr's XI, resuming on 244-4, continued were they had left off.

"How I have been performing in trials thus far is how I would like things to continue heading into the start of the season," said Russell after his knock, which included five massive sixes and six fours off 89 balls.

"This year I was hoping that it will be a better year for me as I have been working hard on my all-round game so that I can cement a spot in the team. It's very difficult as the team has a lot of good players, but if I continue I know I will continue to be in the eyes of the selectors," he added.

Russell was competing in his first of two Under-19 seasons when the national selectors saw his talent and rewarded him with his first cap at age 18 against the Windward Islands. He has so far played six matches for Jamaica.

In the first trial match at Up Park Camp, he made 64 and 32, but this is not the level at which the former Clarendon College daCosta Cup goalkeeper wants to stay.

"My aim is to play for the West Indies and to stay as long as possible, not really for the fame, but for the love of the game and to try and make West Indies cricket better," he said.

"At the rate I am going now, all I have to do is to continue to perform whenever I get the chance perform. I have been up to standard in the trials thus far and the hope going forward is that I can continue and show what I'm capable of (doing)," he added.