Chris Gayle will play the RamSlam T20 Challenge knockout games for the Lions, despite suffering a back injury.

Chris Gayle will represent the Highveld Lions in Sunday’s Ram Slam T20 Challenge playoff, despite pulling out of the Test series against the Proteas due to injury.

Gayle suffered a back injury that will make batting for long periods of time difficult, but his coach is confident he will be able to handle the demands of the shortest format.

‘His back is not holding up very well and I can’t see him managing five days,’ Geoffrey Toyana, the Lions’ coach told ESPNcricinfo. ‘I’m not surprised he has had to pull out of the Tests. Still, he has committed to playing for us in these games.’

Gayle’s injury was clear for all to see after the sides loss to the Dolphins in Bloemfontein on Sunday.

‘We were getting into the car to drive back and he was really battling to get in. We could see he was struggling,’ Toyana said.

The large West Indian played a big part in the Lions’ impressive start to the season, but the coach has also been impressed with his contribution off the field.

‘Although he is quite a quiet guy, he has really made a difference to some of the younger guys with helping out and offering advice, and just in general to the dressing-room morale. We think he has really enjoyed himself here and that he may want to come back to play for the Lions.’

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