West Indies allow Gayle IPL delay

Gayle's Kolkata Knight Riders have won just one IPL game in seven

West Indies have given captain Chris Gayle permission to play an extra game in the Indian Premier League ahead of their first Test against England.

Gayle may now stay to play in Kolkata Knight Riders' match against Kings XI Punjab on Sunday before joining up with the rest of the West Indies squad.

If he plays the extra IPL game, he will arrive in England on Monday, just two days before the opening Test at Lord's.

Gayle's team manager Omar Khan admitted it was "not ideal preparation".

However, Khan confirmed that after talks with the West Indies Cricket Board, Gayle would be allowed to stay for an extra day.

606: DEBATE Gayle has the experience, though he's under some fitness cloud as he seems to have picked up an injury in the IPL greyblazersghost

"The West Indies Cricket Board has been informed of this development and has agreed for him to arrive in England on Monday if it becomes necessary," said Khan.

Gayle and strike bowler Fidel Edwards had previously been expected to land in England on Sunday, giving them three days with the squad before the start of the Lord's Test on Wednesday.

Gayle claimed he was considering staying an extra day because Kolkata have won only one of their opening seven matches, although he will also get paid extra for playing another game.

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