Gayle given permission to extend IPL stay

Indian Premier League 2009

Shwe Wai

	Kolkata could have Chris Gayle in their side for Sunday's match against Punjab

West Indies have reluctantly given Chris Gayle permission to extend his day with Kolkata Knight Riders at the IPL by two days if he wants to play an extra game. It means he could arrive in England just 48 hours before the first Test at Lord's, which will leave him precious little time to adjust to conditions.

With poor batting and inclement weather robbing West Indies of much-needed momentum ahead of the Test series, the tourists are now bracing for Gayle to remain in South Africa longer than originally agreed.

"The West Indies Cricket Board has been informed of this development and has agreed for him to arrive in England on Monday, May 4 if it becomes necessary," Omar Khan, the West Indies team managed, confirmed to reporters at Derby where they are playing England Lions, but also admitted it would "not be ideal preparation for a Test match."

Fresh from a 1-0 Test series victory in the Caribbean - a win that moved them within sight of sixth-ranked England on the ICC table - the West Indians have experienced a substantial reversal of fortunes since arriving in England. Already without the services of star allrounder, Dwayne Bravo, who was mysteriously ruled out of the Test series on medical grounds but cleared to play in the IPL, West Indies are desperately in need of Gayle's services after indifferent batting displays against Essex and England Lions.

Gayle was originally scheduled to join his West Indian team-mates after Friday's IPL game against Mumbai Indians, but he wrote in his column in the Times of India that he "might still stay back for the game on May 3 [against Kings XI Punjab]". The West Indies captain said he had "yet to make a final decision on the matter" and was mindful of his commitment to play in the first Test, which begins at Lord's on May 6.