West Indies captain Chris Gayle could return to Australia for the first Test after returning home to visit his sick mother in Jamaica.

Gayle is set to leave the Caribbean on Monday and will return to the tour in time for the first Test which begins at the Gabba in Brisbane on Thursday.

"Captain Chris Gayle will be rejoining the team unit for the upcoming three-match Test Series against Australia in Australia. He will depart from Kingston, Jamaica on Monday," a West Indies Cricket Board statement said.

Gayle abruptly left the tour last Wednesday to be with his mother, who was hospitalised in Jamaica with a heart problem.

"He is expected back in time for the start of the first Test, which bowls off on Thursday at the Gabba in Brisbane," the statement added.

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Gayle was recently named as the skipper of the national team after the end of a bitter contract dispute between the players and the West Indies Cricket Board.

The hard hitting left-hander missed the West Indies' four-day practice match against Queensland Bulls, which ended in a draw.