Injured West Indies [Images] captain Chris Gayle is out of the deciding third Test against South Africa, the touring team said on Monday.

Gayle broke his thumb while batting in the second test in Cape Town, which South Africa won by seven wickets on Saturday to level the series at 1-1.

"Chris is not going to be ready to play," West Indies media officer Philip Spooner said.

"The injury will take two to three weeks to heal properly."

Gayle led West Indies to their first test win in South Africa in the opening test in Port Elizabeth, which was also his first as captain.

Spooner said no replacement had been summoned from the Caribbean, Dwayne Bravo [Images] would take over the captaincy and the team would be named on the first morning of the match in Durban on Thursday.