.jpg)
Chris Gayle to miss West Indies tour of South Africa due to injury
Devon has struggled to make his mark for the West Indies in Tests © Getty
Devon Smith will replace the West Indies injured star batsman, Chris Gayle, in the squad for the tour of South Africa, the selectors announced on Monday. Smith, 33, has represented the West Indies in 33 Tests since making his debut in 2003 against Australia in Guyana.
The pugnacious left handed opener -- who scored a century in his latest First-Class match -- has scored one Test century and five half centuries and averages a shade under 37 in First-Class cricket.
The pugnacious left handed opener -- who scored a century in his latest First-Class match -- has scored one Test century and five half centuries and averages a shade under 37 in First-Class cricket.
West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) said in a statement that Gayle had "been replaced due to injury" without offering more details. Gayle though, has been troubled by back problems in recent times.
Gayle is the second experienced player, the squad has seen drop out, as Dwayne Bravo pulled out last month citing personal reasons. The series against South Africa will be the first for the West Indies since they quit India four matches into a five-game, ODI series in October after a pay dispute between players and the board, with a T20l and three Tests to play.
The WICB have since set up a task force to explore the controversy with a report due on December 18. West Indies will play three Tests, three T20Is and five ODIs in South Africa.
Gayle is the second experienced player, the squad has seen drop out, as Dwayne Bravo pulled out last month citing personal reasons. The series against South Africa will be the first for the West Indies since they quit India four matches into a five-game, ODI series in October after a pay dispute between players and the board, with a T20l and three Tests to play.
The WICB have since set up a task force to explore the controversy with a report due on December 18. West Indies will play three Tests, three T20Is and five ODIs in South Africa.
West Indies squad: Denesh Ramdin (c), Sulieman Benn, Jermaine Blackwood, Kraigg Braithwaite, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Sheldon Cottrell, Assad Fudadin, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Leon Johnson, Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels, Devon Smith, Jerome Taylor, Chadwick Walton.
Sign up here with your email
ConversionConversion EmoticonEmoticon