West Indies team manager Clive Lloyd (right) with Chris Gayle. - File

DURBAN, South Africa:

WEST INDIES team manager Clive Lloyd has praised the leadership of captain Chris Gayle and has indicated that despite his absence from the third and final Test, the Windies have a "good chance" of beating South Africa and taking the series. The series-decider starts tomorrow at the Sahara Stadium in Durban. Speaking yesterday after the team had a three-hour training session, Lloyd - the legendary captain - noted that Gayle has been an inspiration on the tour and had "led from the front".

"He creates a very good atmosphere when he's around. He's been a great boost for this team and the players react to him very well. He has been brilliant since he took over. The players are behind him and he has created a great team spirit," Lloyd said.

Surprised many

"He is learning all the time. He has surprised many people by the way he has handled the team, but he has not surprised me. He has always been a quiet guy but I always realised he had the ability.

"In the dressingroom he has always been making wise comments. He always wants to do well and wants the players to do well. He has that kind of charisma and on this tour he has certainly led from the front."

On Monday, Gayle indicated he would not be able to play in the final match. He is recovering from a hamstring strain and fractured left thumb. Lloyd promised that the team would continue "to fight" in a bid to become the first West Indies team to win a Test series on South African soil.

The West Indies won the first Test at Sahara Oval in Port Elizabeth by 128 runs, while South Africa won the second match at Sahara Park in Cape Town by seven wickets.

Meanwhile, the West Indies selectors yesterday named a 16-man squad for the ODI segment of the South Africa tour.

The West Indies one-day squad: Christopher Gayle (captain), Dwayne Bravo (vice-captain), Patrick Browne, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Sewnarine Chatter-goon, Fidel Edwards, Rawl Lewis, Runako Morton, Brenton Parch-ment, Daren Powell, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, Darren Sammy, Marlon Samuels, Devon Smith, Jerome Taylor.