PERTH, Australia (CMC) – A troublesome side injury has kept Jamaican Chris Gayle in doubt for West Australia’s crucial clash with Victoria in today’s Twenty20 Big Bash, and has again raised queries over his fitness ahead of West Indies’ one-day tour of Australia later this month.

The West Indies captain suffered a muscle injury almost two weeks ago in Western Australia’s first game of the tournament and has not played since. Initially, the injury was diagnosed as a muscle strain but Gayle said subsequent scans may have revealed a small muscle tear.

Yesterday, he tried desperately to put a positive spin on his involvement in today’s game but could give no assurances.

“I’m doing everything possible to play,” said Gayle, who is scheduled to lead the Windies back Down Under at month end for five One-Day Internationals and two T20 Internationals.

“Tomorrow I’ll have the guys bowl against me and then we can decide where we go from there.

“The twisting (is the problem), you know. It’s just one of those things. I can play across the line but not twist too much.”

The left-handed Gayle is Western Australia’s marquee player but has played just one of the side’s three matches so far. Then, he smashed a whirlwind 44 but injured himself in the innings.

He batted for just over half hour yesterday against the bowling machines in the nets at the WACA but still appeared restricted in his movement.

“It’s improving slowly but surely; but to be honest with you, originally the doctor thought it would take about two weeks to three weeks to heal properly,” Gayle revealed.

“At the same time it’s up to me to try and push it … it’s a tough call to be honest with you, but I’m sure the management staff understand the situation that I’m in.”

“I just want to make it clear to the public that I’m pushing and doing everything possible to actually be a part of it.”

Gayle is one of four West Indies player campaigning in the T20 Big Bash, with all-rounders Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Smith also involved.