Firdose Moonda, the South African cricket journalist, has written a wonderful article (‘Africa applauds a son of transformation’) on ESPNcricinfo, on the significance of Temba Bavuma’s century against England, on Tuesday, in the just concluded Test at Cape Town. The introductory blurb neatly summarises the piece and its import: “In becoming the first black South African to score a Test century, Temba Bavuma has provided his generation with a long-awaited role model.”
Ironically, that was the day after Chris Gayle, the former West Indies captain turned T20 bat-for-hire, chose, on camera, to hit on Mel McLaughlin, a female television sports presenter, who was interviewing him following a typically explosive innings for the Melbourne Renegades during a match of the Australian Big Bash League (BBL).
Mr Gayle’s crass comments do not bear repeating but suffice it to say that a media storm erupted and Mr Gayle later apologised, though not sincerely enough for some. He was fined 10,000 Australian dollars for his transgression and put on notice that such behaviour would not be tolerated in future. As Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland put it, “Chris got it badly wrong last night. We are working incredibly hard to ensure cricket is a sport for all Australians – men and women, boys and girls – and we just won’t tolerate behaviour that undermines that ambition.”
Of course, many might take this last statement with a healthy pinch of salt and view some of the criticisms coming from the Australian cricket authorities regarding the inappropriateness of Mr Gayle’s behaviour as awfully sanctimonious if not downright hypocritical, given the laddish culture of the BBL and the extremes promoted in the interest of entertainment. Then, of course, there is the little matter of the culture of abusive sledging in cricket in that country; but, at least, as in Vegas, what happens on the field of play is supposed to stay on the field of play.
Meanwhile, public opinion seems to be divided on the seriousness of Mr Gayle’s error. Perhaps it is a sign of the political correctness of our times, but some have found his behaviour predatory and bordering on sexual harassment in the workplace. On the other hand, there are those willing to dismiss his manner as merely flirtatious, accepting that it was “a simple joke” as the cricketer himself claimed in his apology.
Well, if it was a “joke” it was in very poor taste. Mr Gayle’s off-field behaviour went, literally and figuratively, beyond the boundary in disrespecting Ms McLaughlin as a professional and exhibiting his own lack of professionalism as a highly paid, world-famous cricketer. When all’s said and done, there can be no doubt that, by any yardstick, Mr Gayle was sexist and unprofessional.
But it is not the first such incident involving Mr Gayle. Worse, if the scurrilous reports of Mr Gayle’s lifestyle – many based on his own posts – now doing the rounds in some of the world’s tabloids and on social media are to be given the slightest credence, this is a man whose ego has clearly got the better of him and who, even at 36, still has some growing up to do with regard to his attitude to women.
Sporting excellence is, of course, no guarantee of character but outstanding batsman and global sports star that he is, Mr Gayle should be a role model for young cricketers and young men in the West Indies, or anywhere else for that matter.
After Mr Bavuma made his historic century, he stated, “When I walk on the field, it’s not just me walking on the field, I understand the significance. It’s about being a role model and an inspiration to kids, especially black African kids.” Somehow, we can’t quite imagine Mr Gayle saying something similar. We just don’t think he gets it.
Unfortunately, even if Mr Gayle is no longer representing the West Indies, he is still regarded as a West Indies cricketer. Perhaps if the West Indies Cricket Board had not already brought West Indies cricket into disrepute, we would be taking an altogether dimmer view of Mr Gayle’s behaviour. Nevertheless, the incident is yet another stain on the reputation of West Indies cricket at this, the most critical juncture in its history.
