HOBART, Australia (CMC) — West Indies fast bowler Shannon Gabriel has been ruled out of the current test match against Australia and could miss the rest of the series after scans revealed the extent of the ankle injury he suffered on the opening day Thursday.

The West Indies management is expected to decide over the next couple days whether to send Gabriel home, since the stress reaction uncovered in his left ankle — the early stages of a fracture — has a typical recovery time of about six weeks.

Gabriel left Bellerive Oval and did not re-emerge after tea on the opening day after bowling 10 overs at a cost of 59 runs and taking the wicket of Joe Burns.

The Trinidad and Tobago pacer arrived at the ground on crutches on the second morning, and was immediately ruled out of taking any further part in the game.

Gabriel appeared to be straining for rhythm during his spells and, in one instance, overstepped on a no-ball by half a metre.

Reports from Hobart say West Indies’ bowlers had some difficulties with the incline when approaching the pitch at the Church Street End of the ground.

Gabriel’s loss is another massive setback to West Indies, who have performed poorly with the bat and ball in the first innings of the series.