Superstar Dre-Russ vows to return to BBL

Superstar West Indian allrounder Andre Russell has declared playing in the KFC BBL is a priority for him as he vowed to return next year if possible.

The 33-year-old Jamaican will play the final game of his whirlwind five-match stint with the Melbourne Stars against the Brisbane Heat at the Gabba tonight determined to put in a good performance so the coaches "have something to think about".

Russell, who is one of the most in demand T20 players on the planet, has been solid without being a standout during his four games of BBL|11 so far since arriving in Australia around December 6.

He has only been dismissed once – against the Hobart Hurricanes in their last match – scoring 83 runs at a strike rate of 162, including a blistering 42 not out off just 21 balls in a player-of-the-match performance to get the Stars home over the Sydney Thunder in his second match of the tournament.

The right-handed power hitter has been relatively expensive with the ball, conceding 40 (4 overs), 38 (4) and 24 (3) in his first three games before taking 3-48 off four overs in the Stars loss to the Hurricanes on Christmas Eve.

"I'm really looking forward to cashing in on some good performances for the Stars," Russell said.

"This is a good bunch of guys and they made me feel at home and I really want to do something special before I exit this half of the tournament."

When asked if he was interested in coming back next summer, Russell said "of course".

"I always enjoy playing in these conditions, the ball coming on good to the bat," he said.

"You bowl fast, you get results, so at the end of the day looking forward to come and play Big Bash is always a priority.

"Sometimes West Indies tours and all these things fall (at the) wrong time.

"But I'm happy to be back if these guys want me back, that's why I try and do something special … so they have something to think about."

Russell said he was looking forward resting up with some time at home before upcoming series against Ireland and England.

"I wish I could stay longer but at the end of the day it is what it is," he said.

"Hopefully I can just get my body a bit of rest – from CPL (Caribbean Premier League), straight into IPL (Indian Premier League), then the T20 World Cup and now I'm here, so it's been a long way on the road.

"I'm happy to actually get at least two weeks home before going anywhere else so happy days."

Stars teammate Marcus Stoinis said they were all keen to have Russell back next season, and the season after.

"We haven't spoken to him yet but we're planning on having him back next year and the year after and the year after that and maybe the year after that," Stoinis said.

"Hopefully things go well for him and he enjoys it and comes back."

The Stars sit in seventh spot on the BBL|11 table above only their crosstown rivals the Melbourne Renegades and desperately need a win in Russell's final game against the Heat to reignite the push for their first ever title.

The Stars are expected to welcome back Pakistan speedster Haris Rauf for their clash against the Scorchers on December 30 after he arrived with Sixers' recruit Shadab Khan following games against the West Indies in Karachi.