Gayle heads home

West Indies are hopeful that Chris Gayle will return from the Caribbean in time for the opening Test starting next Thursday

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West Indies skipper Chris Gayle will leave the tour of Australia to return home to be with his ill mother.

West Indies officials are hopeful the left-handed opener, who departed for his native Jamaica today after his mother was admitted to hospital overnight, will be back in time for the first Test at the Gabba Brisbane which starts next Thursday.

"The management and players in the team as well as the WICB (West Indies Cricket Board) are with Chris and his family at this time,” said team manager Joel Garner. “We also want to wish his mother a speedy recovery.”

In Gayle's absence, the tourists were led by wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin in their four-day match against Queensland which got under way this morning at Allan Border Field. They also rested fast bowler Jerome Taylor.