Gayle's Test hopes dim

Chris Gayle, the West Indies captain, has until Monday to decide whether he will return for Thursday's first Test against Australia at the Gabba. Gayle flew to Jamaica on Wednesday to be with his sick mother, who is in hospital with a heart problem, and is waiting to see how her treatment progresses.

The West Indian selectors are expected to meet over the next day to decide whether a replacement batsman is required and Gayle has until the end of the weekend in the Caribbean to determine whether he can make it Down Under in time. Gayle will need at least a day and a half to fly back and even then he faces the prospect of being severely jet-lagged during the match.

He has been on Twitter since landing back in Jamaica and has also been sending regular text messages to his team-mates asking about their progress in the tour game against Queensland. He will be happy when he wakes up to find half-centuries to Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul helped them to a draw in Brisbane with a second innings of 6 for 357. Sarwan, who gained a knock on his left knee, collected 66 while Chanderpaul was impressive in reaching 69.

Denesh Ramdin, the wicketkeeper, is standing in for Gayle and gained a close-up of what the bowlers need to do to improve after they were taken for 617 in their first innings. Jerome Taylor, the fast bowler, was rested after the long flight but is gaining fitness while Kemar Roach and Dwayne Bravo will be better for their workouts over the past four days.

Sulieman Benn, the left-arm spinner, struggled against Queensland's line-up of left-handers, with Nick Kruger and Nathan Reardon particularly harsh on him. Ramdin said the pitch didn't suit the slow men but Benn needed to find a way to succeed in Australia.

"He must look at ways for him to improve as a bowler, more stock bowls and trying to work them out at the same time," he said. "He has to bowl a lot of dot balls and be patient, rather than try and blast them out."

However, the most important thing for West Indies is to make runs and Sarwan and Chanderpaul will be in charge of guiding the young squad if Gayle doesn't make it back. "If Chris is not here, those will be the two guys who will be doing the job for us and it's good to see them get some runs and some confidence," Ramdin said. "Most of the batters got a long hit-out in the middle and things are coming along. We just need to continue that form and all the guys have to keep the focus for the first Test match."