West Indies batsman Chris Gayle has confirmed that he will be out of action until December after deciding to have surgery on a long-standing back injury.
Gayle was forced to battle the problem at the World Cup earlier in the year, but he put off going under the knife to ensure that he could take part in the Caribbean Premier League with the Jamaica Tallawahs.
"I have a charity game on the August 2, but after that I will be out of cricket for two to three months. I am going to do a surgery on my back," the 35-year-old, who could make his return for the Melbourne Renegades in this winter's Big Bash, told reporters.
"So I need some time for recovery. Maybe December, before I actually get back in cricket as well. You have got to wish me luck with that surgery and then I will be back strong. Who knows, we will see what happens."
Gayle's need to recover will keep him out of the tri-series against Pakistan and Zimbabwe in the autumn.
Callum Mulvihill
