SYDNEY, Jan 5: The Melbourne Renegades fined star opener Chris Gayle USD 7,000 today after an attempt to flirt with a female presenter on live TV which cricket authorities condemned as �completely out of line�.
Ten Network reporter Mel McLaughlin found herself being asked out for a drink during an interview with the burly West Indian after he blasted 41 runs off 15 balls in Australia�s Big Bash League (BBL) on Monday.
Live on air, Gayle � who later insisted he was just joking � said he was happy to be interviewed by McLaughlin �just to see your eyes for the first time�.
�Nice, so hopefully we can win this game and we can have a drink after,� he said.
�Don�t blush baby,� the Jamaican added, prompting the unimpressed McLaughlin to shake her head and reply, �I�m not blushing.�
�Sorry,� added Gayle, breaking into a big laugh.
Cricket Australia and Big Bash League officials did not see the funny side of what Gayle later said was meant as a joke.
Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland offered support for McLaughlin, saying that no one should have to face such comments which were �completely out of line� and �inappropriate for the workplace�.
He said Gayle was not in a �nightclub� and his behaviour was �not cool�.
�I think that anyone who sees humour in that is misunderstanding and somewhat delusional about the situation,� Sutherland added.
With the governing body leaving open a threat of sanctions, the Renegades quickly announced a fine.
Club CEO Stuart Coventry said the money would be donated to the Jane McGrath foundation, named after legendary fast bowler Glenn�s late wife who died of breast cancer. � AFP
