Chris Gayle Crosses the Line

While Gayle was fined 10,000 Australian dollars (the equivalent of 7,190 U.S. dollars) for his indiscretions, the Cricket Australia Chief, James Sutherland, talked about the need to create a safe and respectable environment in the workplace, deeming Gayle’s actions as “out of line” and “inappropriate”.

- Sreelata S. Yellamrazu

Chris Gayle’s Big Bash League stint down under could not have been more controversial. Yet he still had the opportunity to end matters on a more sublime note. With that not being the case, while the towering batsman was buried under an avalanche of criticism, his unspectacular antics have brought to light the role and treatment of female sports journalists in the male dominated sport.

BARKING UP THE WRONG TREE

There is an effortless elegance, grace and majesty to Chris Gayle’s batting that is simply mesmerizing to watch. Whether it is in the maroon garb as a West Indian or in any of the appointed colours of Twenty20 leagues, Gayle has the ability to literally stand and deliver from the crease with a swagger that is both, original and inimitable. However, his skills in the manner of winning over people with his personality remains another matter altogether.

A lot can be said about a person by the manner in which he conducts himself, particularly with a person of the opposite sex. Gayle’s interview in the course of a Twenty20 match in Australia’s domestic Twenty20 venture, the Big Bash League, boomeranged in ways he did not imagine. His attempts to salaciously flirt with a female presenter and his feeble attempts at an apology and dismissal have done little to endear him to the outraged masses.

Gayle sparked outrage following his on air interview with a Channel 10 reporter, Mel Laughlin, and the dead pan look of the presenter said it all. Following yet another spectacular display with his bat for the Melbourne Renegades – the team he represents in the Big Bash League, Gayle unleashed a load of crass, impertinent and highly objectionable comments in response to the questions posed by the presenter..