Gayle likely to be reprimanded by BBL and Cricket Australia for his on air comments
The explosive West Indian batsman, Chris Gayle who is known for his tongue in cheek statements, might be in some trouble after his on-air chat with Channel 10 presenter Mel McLaughlin when he asked her out after his whirlwind knock of 41 of just 15 balls against the Hurricanes, reports Cricket.com.au.
The West Indian opener, who fell 9 short of a fifty had a chat with McLaughlin after he entered the dugout.
When she asked him if there was any injury scare or any problem because of which he threw away his wicket, Gayle steered the conversation away from cricket and said: “Your eyes are beautiful, hopefully, we can win this game and then we can have a drink after as well. Don’t blush baby.”
McLaughlin tried to move past the conversation and added: “I’m not blushing.”
Gayle’s on-air statements have come under fire from various quarters, calling Gayle insensitive and being sexist towards a female presenter doing her job. Cricket Australia also took up the matter seriously and so did Channel 10 demanding an apology.
But the matter wasn’t helped by the fact that Network Ten described the West Indian opener’s comment as “smooth” in a tweet that was later deleted.
BBL Chief terms comments as inappropriate and disrespectful
"I heard Chris’s comments and they’re disrespectful and simply inappropriate," said Anthony Everard, the Head of BBL after Gayle’s advances toward McLaughlin.
Everard went on to add that the issue would be taken up with both him and the Melbourne Renegades whom he represents.
"We’ll certainly be talking to him and the Renegades about it. This league is all about its appeal to kids, families and females. There's just no place in the BBL or, for that matter, cricket anywhere – for that sort of behaviour.”
Stuart Coventry the chief executive of the Renegades supported Everard's view in regards to the Jamaican’s behaviour.
"I heard Chris’s comments and we agree with both Cricket Australia and Channel 10 that they’re disrespectful and simply inappropriate," Coventry said.
Coventry also added: "We’ll certainly be talking to him in association with Cricket Australia about it. The Melbourne Renegades is all about its appeal to kids, families and females. There’s just no place for that sort of behavior.”