Chris Gayle in hot water over interview with TV presenter

Mel McLaughlin says she stunned by Chris Gayle’s on-air proposition, which has sparked outrage and a $10,000 fine.

Journalists wait to speak to Chris Gayle as he arrives at Melbourne airport. Picture: AAP

Network Ten reporter Mel McLaughlin says she was shocked by an on-air proposition by Chris Gayle, which has sparked controversy and led to a $10,000 for the West Indies cricket star.

“It was more that it was unexpected,” McLaughlin told Network Ten tonight.

“You don’t expect to get that sort of answer and it was a little bit disappointing because I’m not used to seeing that. It just doesn’t happen normally.”

McLaughlin said she hoped she would not be put in such a situation again and was pleased people were talking about the incident.

“I don’t really want to be the subject of such conversations. I just like going about my business and doing my job but it’s definitely a good thing that people are talking.

“You know we want equality. We always want equality and I always felt in my career, I felt nothing but respect.”

Gayle was fined late today following his controversial sideline interview with McLaughlin, which took place during Monday night’s BBL match between Melbourne Renegades and Hobart Hurricanes.

The big-hitting West Indian had described his attempt to flirt with McLaughlin as a “simple joke” with no offence or disrespect intended.

However, his comments provoked widespread condemnation as sexist and inappropriate and Renegades CEO Stuart Coventry announced on Tuesday afternoon that Gayle would be fined $10,000 by the franchise with the money to be donated to charity

‘Gayle showed pattern of behaviour’

Gayle has been accused of following a pattern of similar behaviour in his controversial sideline interview with a female reporter.

Neroli Meadows said she had experienced similar behaviour from Gayle.

The big-hitting West Indian today described his attempt to flirt with the Network Ten reporter Mel McLaughlin live on air during Monday night’s Big Bash League match as a “simple joke” with no offence or disrespect intended.

However, it provoked widespread condemnation as sexist and inappropriate and Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland was not ruling out CA sanctions for Gayle, saying his comments bordered on workplace harassment. Network Ten head of sport David Barham said McLaughlin “was angry and upset” after the incident.

Fellow cricket reporter Neroli Meadows said she had experienced similar behaviour from Gayle.

“I knew straight away he was going to do it the moment he got out,” Meadows told ABC Radio’s Grandstand.

“I knew that he was going to go off and he was going to say something to that effect because he’s done it before, he’s done it to me, he’s done it to several women.” She detailed an incident while Gayle was playing for the Sydney Thunder several years ago.

“He went at me once in the press conference - `okay whatever, you’re having a laugh you’re Chris Gayle everyone laughs,” Meadows said.

“He did it again, it’s cringy, you could almost hear the cringing.

“Then to come up afterwards, stand over me (and say) ‘so when are we going for this drink?’ “He’s a big guy, it makes you feel intimidated and it’s just not okay.”

Former Test opener Chris Rogers said he had distanced himself from Gayle while playing alongside him at the Thunder and was concerned by the example he set for younger players.

“This is a pattern of behaviour,” Rogers told ABC’s Grandstand. “If you know the guy you see it over and over.” Sutherland said he was waiting to see what action the Renegades took over the incident before deciding if Cricket Australia should intervene.

“Anyone that sees the humour in that is misunderstanding and somewhat delusional about the situation,” Sutherland told reporters in Sydney.

“It’s Chris Gayle’s workplace and Mel McLaughlin’s workplace and those comments border on harassment.”

- AAP

It was a ‘joke’ says Gayle

Chris Gayle has called his interview with Network Ten journalist Mel McLaughlin “a simple joke,” before making a quick exit from the media.

Speaking to reporters in Melbourne after his comments during the Melbourne Renegades’ Big Bash match - which launched a Cricket Australia inquiry - Gayle said he had not meant to offend McLaughlin by inviting her out for a post-match drink and telling her, “Don’t blush, baby.”

“It seemed to be blown out of proportion,” Gayle said. “There wasn’t anything at all meant to be disrespectful or offensive to Mel. If she felt that way, I’m really sorry for that. There wasn’t any harm meant in that particular way, to harm any particular person in any particular way like that. It was a simple joke ... I don’t know how it reached this far, to be honest. It’s one of those things.”

Asked if he had apologised to McLaughlin, Gayle replied: “No, I didn’t get a chance to. I tried to reach out to her last night but it didn’t happen.”

Gayle walked out of the press conference after 90 seconds after being asked by a female reporter: “She was at her workplace, why should she have to feel uncomfortable while she’s at work?”

“Did she tell you she was uncomfortable?” Gayle responded, before walking away.

- Will Swanton

Journalists wait to speak to Chris Gayle as he arrives at Melbourne airport. Picture: AAP

Gayle slammed over interview

Cricket superstar Chris Gayle’s attempt to flirt live on air with a TV presenter has backfired and sparked widespread condemnation.

Ten Network reporter Mel McLaughlin.

Ten Network reporter Mel McLaughlin was left visibly disturbed on the sideline of Bellerive Oval last night when interviewing the former West Indies’ Test captain, who had just been dismissed for 41 off 15 balls as Melbourne Renegades chased down the Hobart Hurricanes.

“Hopefully we can win this game and you and I can have a drink after,” Gayle told the reporter who seemed dumbfounded at the statement.

The laughing batsman said his dismissal allowed him to “come to this interview to see you” and went on to tell McLaughlin “don’t blush, baby”.

“I’m not blushing,” McLaughlin replied, before moving on to her next question.

Social media immediately lit up, labelling Gayle’s comments as sexist and an affront to women.

It sparked a prompt apology from the broadcaster who said Gayle’s comments were not endorsed and that measures will be taken to avoid future such occurrences.

Cricket Australia were quick to respond.

“I heard Chris comments and they’re disrespectful and simply inappropriate,” BBL boss Anthony Everard said in a statement. Gayle and his side will be spoken to by officials.

“This league is all about its appeal to kids, families and females,” Everard added.

“There’s just no place in the BBL - or, for that matter, cricket anywhere - for that sort of behaviour.”

Renegades CEO Stuart Coventry echoed the response and team skipper Aaron Finch said the parties involved had addressed the matter.

“Chris has apologised to Mel,” he said after play.

“As an organisation we don’t condone it.

“Between Chris and everyone else, they’ve addressed it ... he’s apologised.”

Piers Morgan was quick to defend Gayle on Twitter, saying he was just “being a bit cheeky” - a comment retweeted by Gayle.

I'm absolutely outraged that everyone's so absolutely outraged by @henrygayle being a bit cheeky to a female TV reporter. #BBL05

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 4, 2016

But the incident comes at a time when Cricket Australia is trying hard to promote the sport to women.

Monday saw the announcement of an annual Governor-General XI’s match for touring women’s sides.

- With AAP