Mohali, March 11 : West Indies' opening batsman Chris Gayle missed Friday's World Cup game against Ireland with an abdominal strain but should be fit for the Group B clash with England in six days' time, a team official said.
Media manager Philip Spooner told AP that the left-handed opening batsman is expected to recover from the stomach muscle strain in time for next Thursday's England match in Chennai.
"We expect Gayle to be right for England," Spooner said. "He only just missed out on the team this morning. It's a slight strain."
Gayle was a late omission for the Ireland fixture in Mohali and was replaced by fast bowler Andre Russell on the morning of the game. Shivnarine Chanderpaul was pushed up to open with Devon Smith and made 35 in an 89-run opening stand.
In the absence of his regular opening partner, Smith hit 107 -- his first ODI century -- but West Indies still made a subdued start without Gayle as the former captain is a key part of the West Indies batting lineup.
Spooner said Gayle was batting well in the nets in the week ahead of the Ireland match, and was expected to be fully recovered for England. AP
