Chris Gayle to miss ODI series against England; to be replaced by Dwayne Smith

Chris Gayle is struggling with stiffness in his lower back.

West Indies opener Chris Gayle will have to sit out of West Indies’ upcoming ODI series against Ireland and England, confirmed West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) in a statement.

“He had precautionary scans and will have medical management and treatment in Jamaica,” an official statement read.

Gayle is struggling with a stiffness in his lower back and is expected to stay in Jamaica for scans. He had been recovering from a hamstring injury that kept him out for the tours of India and New Zealand, but will be hoping to prove his fitness for the ICC World T20, which begins in Bangladesh next month.

He will be replaced by Barbados opening batsman Dwayne Smith who has not played an ODI for West Indies since December 2012. However, he has been impressive in the recent Nagico Super50 tournament in Trinidad and Tobago where he was the highest scorer, and was also selected as the Most Valuable Player.

“He is really working hard on his fitness, but on the morning of the match against Ireland he was feeling just a little soreness in his lower back and we decided we are not going to take the chance,” said Test and T20 captain Darren Sammy.

“He is very important for us and we have already lost the services of [Kieron] Pollard so we are giving Chris the best possible chance for him to be fit and recover.”

West Indies face Ireland next in their ODI match this Sunday (23 Feb), followed by three ODIs against England at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.

West Indies squad announced for ODI against Ireland:

Dwayne Bravo (C), Darren Bravo, Miguel Cummins, Kirk Edwards, Jason Holder, Nikita Miller, Sunil Narine, Kieran Powell, Denesh Ramdin, Marlon Samuels, Darren Sammy, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith.