West Indies Captain Chris Gayle out of test decider
By Michael D. • Jan 8th, 2008 • Category: Sport
West Indies captain Chris Gayle will miss the third Test decider against South Africa with a broken thumb.
Gayle was hit on the left hand by an Andre Nel delivery during his side’s second Test defeat in Cape Town.
“Chris is not going to be ready. The injury will take two to three weeks to heal properly,” said West Indies media officer Philip Spooner.
Herschelle Gibbs will return for South Africa after Neil McKenzie injured his calf and Monde Zondeki joins the squad.
Zondeki, the leading wicket-taker in first-class cricket in South Africa this season, will provide cover for Dale Steyn, who has a hamstring strain.
Dwayne Bravo will lead West Indies into the final Test, which begins in Durban on Thursday, although the tourists have not called in a replacement for Gayle.
The opener retired hurt on the fourth morning in Cape Town and, despite returning after the fall of the ninth wicket with the aid of a pain-killing injection, was never likely to make the final Test.
“The thumb is fractured and at the moment I don’t know how long I’ll be out for but it’s not good,” said Gayle, himself a stand-in in for first-choice skipper Ramnaresh Sarwan who is at home with an ankle injury.
The loss of Gayle is a big blow to the Windies, who won their first Test since May 2005 and first ever in South Africa when they triumphed in the opening match of the series in Port Elizabeth.
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