Melbourne, Nov 18 West Indies captain Chris Gayle is likely to miss the entire Australian tour because he is returning to the Caribbean to take care of a seriously ill mother.

The opening batsman was scheduled to play in the opening tour match against Queensland at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane today, but will leave for home immediately.

It is a massive blow to the Windies with the First Test starting in Brisbane next week. West Indies officials could not say whether Gayle would rejoin the tour later.

The 30-year-old opening batsman arrived at the Allan Border Field for the four-day tour match against Queensland, but wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin will now lead the Windies.

Earlier, a Windies spokesman said Gayle had asked for privacy in regard to his hospitalised mother but he was hoping for a quick recovery, the Daily Telegraph reports. (ANI)