Gayle

CAPE TOWN, South Africa

(CMC):

Captain Chris Gayle has been ruled out of the remainder of the West Indies' One-Day International tour of South Africa after failing to recover in time from a broken thumb.

The powerful left-handed opening batsman and off-spin bowler sustained the injury in the second Test match and was forced to miss the third and deciding Test in Durban.

Vice-captain Dwayne Bravo, who led the side in Sunday's opening ODI in Johannesburg where the Windies lost by six wickets, will be in charge for the remaining matches.

Players understand

"I have spoken with the guys and they understand perfectly. I have wished all the players the best. I know they will give their best and try to win the series," Gayle said before leaving for the Caribbean. "We will be hosting Sri Lanka and Australia in the coming months and I definitely want to be 100 per cent for those matches."

Speaking yesterday, team manager Clive Lloyd said Gayle's brilliant ability and leadership would be missed.

"We will miss his excellent skills and in this modern game he is a destroyer on the bowling," Lloyd said. "He would have been an immense boost to the team, but this gives an opportunity for the younger players to show their mettle and step up to the plate."

The rest of the team travelled from Johannesburg to Cape Town yesterday for Friday's second ODI.

The other matches are in Port Elizabeth on January 27, in Durban on February 1, with the final match at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on February 3.