Port-of-Spain, Trinidad – Left-handed opening batsman Chris Gayle has been approved to replace middle-order batsman Andre McCarthy for the Caribbean T20 2013 Tournament.

Chris Gayle to replace Andre Mccarthy in Jamaica squad. (Photo by Philip Spooner/WICB)

The Jamaica Cricket Association sought approval for Gayle to replace McCarthy who is unavailable due to an injury. The WICB Caribbean T20 2013 Technical Committee approved the replacement.

Gayle is one of the most destructive batsmen in world cricket. The former Jamaica and West Indies captain was a crucial member of the Windies team which won the ICC World T20 trophy in Sri Lanka last year.

In his T20 career he has played 125 matches and score 4,475 runs at a strike rate of 152.10. He has made a record eight centuries, and hit a whopping 316 sixes. The 33-year-old has represented Jamaica at the senior level for close to 15 years in all formats.

Jamaica are currently second in the tournament standings with 13 points from 5 matches. They will bid for a spot in the Play-off when they play their final preliminary match on Friday against Combined Campuses and Colleges. First ball is 4 pm (3 pm Jamaica Time).