West Indies superstar Chris Gayle may face New Zealand in two Twenty internationals in the New Year after undergoing injury treatment in Sydney.
The explosive 34-year-old opener was ruled out of the one-day series starting in Auckland on Boxing Day with a hamstring injury, but national coach Ottis Gibson on Sunday gave him a chance of playing in the January fixtures.
"We're in communication with him and the people he's working with in Australia. He should be available for the two Twenty20s," said Gibson after the tourists slumped to an eight-wicket third Test defeat in Hamilton to lose the three-match series 2-0.
Gayle has been undergoing rehabilitation and has completed net sessions in Sydney, prompting speculation he could be rushed into the West Indies side for the five one-day internationals.
But Gibson said they would take a measured approach over his return with one eye on the World Twenty20 tournament in Bangladesh in March and April next year.
"He's still injured so it would be an unnecessary risk to fast track him with what lies ahead. The World Twenty20 is coming up - a format where he is king," said Gibson.
Gayle was not re-signed for the Big Bash League after a miserable last season where he averaged 19.57 for the winless Sydney Thunder.
