Cricket: Gayle to appear to before match referee

West Indies opener Chris Gayle will appear before match referee Mike Procter tonight charged with conduct contrary to the spirit of the game after an incident on the opening day of the first test against New Zealand.

Early in West Indies' first innings yesterday Gayle, on 23, was given not out by umpire Rudi Koertzen when replays appeared to show he was caught off his glove from the bowling of Shane Bond.

During the appeal Gayle backed away from the crease and rubbed his arm as if to indicate the ball hit his forearm.

He went on to make 25.

The hearing will be held at the end of today's play.

- NZPA