West Indies face England in first one day

Chris Gayle faces a late fitness test on today’s match day to decide whether he can lead West Indies against England in the opening one-day game at Providence Stadium in Guyana.



Gayle, rated third best one-day batsman, has been sidelined for more than a week since injuring his hamstring in the drawn final Test in Trinidad.



After several days of treatment, he is close to full fitness for today’s opening game of the five-match series.



Gayle’s absence at the top of the order could be a major blow to West Indies, although his absence was barely noticed during Sunday’s convincing six-wicket triumph in the 20/20 International.



England captain Andrew Strauss has been passed fit to play.



Strauss practiced with a runner yesterday after suffering a hamstring strain in the 20/20 defeat on Sunday but says he is 100 percent fine.



Andrew Flintoff’s hip injury has ruled him out again and England will not name their batting line-up until the toss.