Gayle for heart surgery

The West Indies opening batsman, who suffers from occasional periods of an irregular heartbeat, was forced to retire during the course of his innings of 56 on the opening day of the second Test against Australia at Bellerive Oval yesterday.

Gayle’s innings was the topscore in a paltry first innings total of 149.

Australia closed the day at 60 without loss in reply. There was intense speculation as to the nature of the 26-year-old Jamaican left-hander’s illness that caused him to leave the field when on 18, complaining of dizziness and nausea.

While there were initial denials that his leaving the field had anything to do with the well-publicised illness, Gayle himself confirmed at the end of the day’s play that it was the onset of the condition that prompted him to return to the dressing room. It was not the first occasion that he has suffered from the irregular heartbeat while batting.

However this latest experience has prompted him, following medical advice, to have surgery immediately after the series against Australia. The series concludes with the third and final match from November 25 to 29 at Adelaide Oval, after which the West Indies will have a two-month break before the squad heads to New Zealand.

This series will see them play three Tests, five One Day Internationals and their first ever Twenty20 International from February 16 to March 29.