SYDNEY, Australia, CMC – Australia all-rounder Shane Watson has claimed his excessive celebration following Chris Gayle’s dismissal in the second innings of the final Test was prompted by the West Indies’ captain taunts.

The 28-year-old dismissed Gayle caught at the wicket and ran down the wicket screaming at the batsman, attracting a fine of 15 per  cent of his match fee under the International Cricket Council’s Code of Conduct which states that players shall at all times conduct play within the spirit of the game.

“He is obviously one of the most devastating batsmen in the world at the moment and he definitely let me know that he was keen for me to come on to bowl, so it was very nice to be able to get him out first ball. That was the catalyst for me celebrating the way I did,’‘ Watson said.

“I’m not embarrassed. I know I looked at the footage after it, obviously just from seeing the footage it doesn’t look ideal, but also people probably don’t understand the full story.

“That’s the reason why it’s nice to be able to say the [other] part of the story, so people might understand the reason why I celebrated the way I did.”

The incident took place in the 15th over the West Indies innings as the Caribbean side chased down a challenging 359 to win the third and final Test at Perth.

Gayle had scored 21 before perishing in timid fashion at 52 for two when he inside-edged Watson through to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, attempting to play through the on-side.

Watson pleaded guilty at an early stage and, under the provisions of the new code, the matter was dealt with by matchreferee Chris Broad without the need for a full hearing.

The match was also highlighted by an ill-tempered fracas between Sulieman Benn, Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson, all of whom were fined over the incident.

Benn received the stiffest punishment, however, as he was banned for two One-Day Internationals.