SYDNEY, Australia, CMC – Legendary former Australia Test captain Ian Chappell says he would support an international ban on West Indies batting star Chris Gayle for his controversial on-air flirtations with a female television reporter.
Gayle has already been fined $10 000 (US$7 000) for the incident which took place during a Big Bash game in Hobart last Monday but Chappell believes the punishment should go even further.
“I wouldn’t have a problem if Cricket Australia said to the clubs, ‘he’s never to be contracted again in this country’,” Chappell said here.
“And I also wouldn’t have a problem if Cricket Australia said to the ICC, ‘what we’re doing should be worldwide’.”
He continued: “You’d have to talk to the individual countries then … but I wouldn’t have a problem if it was tabled at an ICC meeting that Cricket Australia said, ‘this is what we’re doing and we would recommend that everybody else do the same’.”
The 36-year-old Gayle found himself embroiled in a full scale controversy after appearing to flirt with Channel TEN reporter Mel McLaughlin after a stroke-filled innings of 41 for Melbourne Renegades against Hobart Hurricanes at Bellerive Oval.
He told a visibly uncomfortable McLaughlin: “I just wanted to have an interview with you as well, that’s why I batted so well.
“Your eyes are beautiful, hopefully we can win this game and then we can have a drink after as well. Don’t blush, baby.”
Gayle has since apologized for the comments amidst widespread criticism, including from the Cricket Australia and Big Bash League authorities.
Chappell said a strong message needed to be sent to Gayle that the behavior was unacceptable.
“If it was a one-off thing, yeah, slap him with a $10,000 fine and say ‘mate, don’t do it again’,” he said.
“But every woman I spoke to [about Gayle] who’s working at the cricket, you got the same answer from. They were quite adamant about it.”
Chappell, 72, played 75 Tests for Australia between 1964 and 1980.
