Gayle expected to be back from injury for New Zealand T20s

Chris Gayle might be seen playing in New Zealand with West Indies coach Ottis Gibson predicting the star batsman will play the tour-ending Twenty20 matches, according to reports.

According to Stuff.co.nz, Gayle was a notable absentee from the Test series against New Zealand after suffering a torn hamstring during an ODI in India in late November, which was originally expected to sideline him for four to five weeks.

His name was also missing from the ODI squad for the five-match series which starts in Auckland on Thursday, the report said.

The blockbusting left-hander posted photos on his Twitter page at training with his former Big Bash team Sydney Thunder, and also padded up at net practice in recent days, the report added.

Gayle isn't officially listed with any Big Bash teams and his presence in Sydney was curious, the report further said.

However, Gibson, picking over the carcass of the team's 2-0 Test series defeat, said Gayle wouldn't be rushed back for the ODIs, even if he was just across the Tasman, the report mentioned.

The tour-ending T20 internationals are in Auckland on January 11 and Wellington on January 15, which should be box office gold for New Zealand Cricket with their big drawcard Jesse Ryder returning to international cricket on Thursday, according to the report.