Warriors set to miss out on Gayle, Roach
Western Australia will scour the globe for international replacements for West Indian stars Chris Gayle and Kemar Roach, who appear likely to withdraw from the national Twenty20 competition this summer.
Both West Indians are likely to be required for their own domestic 20-over tournament, which is due to start a few days after the Warriors launch the Big Bash at the WACA Ground on December 30.
Gayle, the hard-hitting West Indies captain, plays for Jamaica, while his fast-bowling teammate is from Barbados.
Gayle remains one of the world's most foremost Twenty20 cricketers and a major drawcard for the WACA, who confirmed his value to WA with a blazing 44 from 24 balls in the first Twenty20 contest last summer.
But Gayle injured his side during the innings and was restricted to just one more match.
Coach Mickey Arthur confirmed attempts would be made to recruit another international but had not given up hope of Gayle playing given that he is not guaranteed to sign a new contract with the West Indies Cricket Board.
Gayle, 31, is considering becoming the latest high-profile player to turn his back on international cricket and would ply his trade in the lucrative Indian Premier League and domestic competitions in Australia, England and South Africa.
West Indies spokesman Imran Khan confirmed that Gayle and Roach might not receive permission to play for the Warriors because of their domestic commitments.
"The dates for the Caribbean T20 have not yet been finalised but it will be in January," he said.
"It will kick off the WICB cricket schedule for 2011."
Arthur said the loss of one or both West Indians would provide more opportunities for local players and that he was not concerned.
WACA chief executive Graeme Wood is on annual leave and could not be contacted yesterday.
·Australian paceman Mitchell Johnson warmed up for the Test series in India next month with a ferocious bowling performance at the WACA Ground nets yesterday.
Johnson struck young WA batsman Mitch Marsh on the helmet and troubled his former Queensland teammate Ashley Noffke during a stint at close to full pace during the Warriors' training session.
Johnson will travel to India next week to play Tests in Chandigarh and Bangalore.
The left-armer, who has lived in Perth for two years without playing a match for the Warriors, to likely to make his WA debut during the Sheffield Shield match against South Australia in Adelaide at the end of next month.
Although Australia will be in action against Sri Lanka in a Twenty20 at the WACA during that week, the national selectors are likely to order Johnson and his one-day teammate Mike Hussey to play for WA to have as much four-day practice as possible before the Ashes.
Meanwhile, senior Warriors paceman Steve Magoffin has been diagnosed with knee tendonitis and is likely to be out of action for up to a month.
