BBL head labels Gayle comments ‘Disrespectful and simply inappropriate’

HOBART, Tasmania (CMC):

The Big Bash League (BBL) has blasted comments by Chris Gayle made to a female reporter during a live television interview as "disrespectful and simply inappropriate" and says it will be meeting with the West Indies star over the matter.

Following his explosive 41 for Melbourne Renegades yesterday at the Bellerive Oval here, Gayle openly flirted with Network TEN's Mel McLaughlin during the interview, telling her: "I wanted to have an interview with you as well, that's why I'm here."

He added: "I get to see your eyes for the first time, it's nice. Hopefully we can win and go for a drink after.

"Don't blush, baby."

However, BBL head Anthony Everard said Gayle's behaviour had no place in the glitzy Twenty20 tournament.

CONDEMNATION

"I heard Chris' comments and they're disrespectful and simply inappropriate. We'll certainly be talking to him and the Renegades about it," Everard said.

"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."

The Renegades franchise also condemned Gayle's remarks, echoing similar sentiments to those of the BBL head.

"I heard Chris' comments and we agree with both Cricket Australia and Channel TEN that they're disrespectful and simply inappropriate," Renegades Chief Executive Stuart Coventry said.

"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 behaviour."

Channel 10 subsequently announced they would be dropping Gayle as an interview option.

"We won't be using (Gayle) in the game anymore," Channel TEN's head of sport David Barham said. "Unless things change in the next few days, it's not happening."

Renegades captain Aaron Finch, with whom Gayle shared a sizzling 84-run first-wicket partnership off 36 balls to set up yesterday's win over Hobart Hurricanes, said the Jamaican had apologised to McLaughlin.

"Chris has apologised to Mel. As an organisation, we don't condone it," Finch said following the five-wicket win.

"Between Chris and everyone else, they've addressed it ... he's apologised."