LONDON, CMC – Somerset will speak to West Indies star Chris Gayle about his latest sexism controversy when he arrives shortly for the Natwest T20 Blast shortly but has given the assurance the player’s contract is not in danger.
However, the English County club said it took “conduct seriously” and was “disappointed” by the recent Times interview in which features Gayle making several suggestive comments.
In the article published by the Times magazine here, Gayle is quoted by writer Charlotte Edwardes as saying he had “a very, very big bat, the biggest in the wooooorld.”
He added: “You think you could lift it? You’d need two hands.”
The 36-year-old Jamaican also asks Edwardes how many Black men she has “had” and further inquires if she was ever involved in a “t’eesome”.
“We were disappointed to read the report in The Times,” Somerset chief executive, Guy Lavender, was quoted as saying.
“Our experience of Chris was very positive when he was with us last season, both on and off the pitch. It was disappointing to read the article.
“We haven’t had the opportunity to discuss this with him yet, but will of course do so when he arrives to play for us in a few days’ time.”
The latest controversy comes against the backdrop of his ‘don’t blush baby’ row during the Australian Big Bash League last January, when he appeared to hit on Channel TEN Mel McLaughlin in a live television interview.
He was fined 10 000 Australian dollars (US$7 200) by Melbourne Renegades for his actions and received a verbal reprimand from Cricket Australia.
Lavender said despite the latest brouhaha, he expected Gayle to still suit up for the club.
“Players are the ambassadors of the club. We have a good track record of signing mavericks, Ian Botham and Viv Richards being examples, but we take conduct seriously,” he stressed.
“It’s a shame because it detracts from his cricketing ability. But I don’t see it as grounds not to have him playing for us this summer.”
Gayle is currently representing Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League.