Chris Gayle to sue media company over claim of lurid act

Gayle was fined $10,000 by his BBL side Melbourne Renegades following his controversial interview with Network Ten’s female reporter Mel McLaughlin on Monday night. Video footage from Wednesday night’s match, sent to Guardian Australia, shows dozens of mainly male patrons chanting “Stand by Gayle” with the sign-holders when they were approached by security.

Mark O’Brien, who only last July won a case against Fairfax and forced them to pay $200,000 in damages to former Treasurer Joe Hockey, is representing Gayle and renowned as being one of the toughest and most aggressive defamation lawyers in the country.

“Chris denies the allegations published by Fairfax Media”, the statement issued by Insignia Sports International yesterday reads.

Gayle apologised and tried to brush off the exchange with McLaughlin as a harmless joke, but Fox Sports reporter Neroli Meadows branded the Jamaican a “creep”.

Gayle told McLaughlin she had handsome eyes and asked her out for a drink.

“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”.

The reproduction of the story/photograph in any form will be liable for legal action.

Gayle, 36, then added to McLaughlin: “Don’t blush, baby”.

“It was a simple joke – the game was going on”.

A Cricket Australia (CA) spokesman confirmed on Thursday the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has been asked to investigate the incident and said it would be up to the WICB to speak publicly about it.

A loss to cross-town rivals the Stars at Etihad Stadium on Saturday will further dent the Renegades hopes of making the competition play-offs.

But it is believed that now the matter has been raised in a public forum, it will be addressed in a report to be filed by West Indies team manager Sir Richie Richardson who was also with the squad during the World Cup campaign.

Richardson relayed his concerns to the WICB.

The Renegades now prepare for the return leg of the Big Melbourne Derby, while the Hurricanes head to the MCG on Wednesday to take on the Melbourne Stars as the exciting BBL reaches its business end.