Published on 12:00 AM, December 24, 2016

Black bat coming back?

West Indian allrounder Andre Russell bats for Sydney Thunder during the Big Bash League. Image taken from the Facebook page of Sydney Thunder

Andre Russell's controversial black bat could be making a surprise Big Bash comeback. The striking black and hot pink bat was a social media sensation when the Jamaican strode out for the opening match of this KFC Big Bash League season. 

However, the bat left black marks on the white ball used in the match, prompting the permission for its use to be revoked.

Russell batted with a standard piece of willow in the Thunder's second match, Thursday night's defeat to the Melbourne Renegades.

But after some quick improvements the black bat could be back in action for the Thunder's next game -- the crucial December 28 showdown with the Brisbane Heat at Sydney's Spotless Stadium.

Russell today showed off the improved Extratec coating, posting a video to his social media with Spartan founder Kunal Sharma demonstrating.