Injured Gabriel out of match, may fly home

Shannon Gabriel, West Indies' fastest bowler, is out of the Hobart Test and effectively the series after scans revealed the extent of the ankle injury he suffered on day one.

The tourists' management will decide over the next couple days whether to send Gabriel home, as the stress reaction or "hot spot" uncovered in his left ankle - the early stages of a fracture - has a typical recovery time of about six weeks.

After bowling 10 overs at a cost of 59 runs and the wicket of Joe Burns, Gabriel left Bellerive Oval and did not re-emerge after tea on the opening day. He arrived at the ground on crutches on the second morning and was immediately ruled out of taking any further part in this game.

There were moments during Gabriel's spells where he was straining for rhythm, as evidenced by one no-ball where he overstepped by half a metre. West Indies' bowlers were believed to have had some difficulties with the incline when approaching the pitch at the Church Street End of the ground.

Gabriel's loss is another major blow to West Indies following their dire performance in the first innings of the series.