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Under fire batsman Chris Gayle hits back, launches scathing attack at sexism critics

News Agencies | Updated on: 10 February 2017, 1:50 IST

Swashbuckling West Indian batsman Chris Gayle has issued a stinging rebuke against former cricketers, who launched a flurry of criticism against him over his infamous comments to female journalist during last year's Big Bash League (BBL).

Gayle was seen asking the Network Ten journalist Melanie McLaughlin out on a date during a broadcast interview before adding the 'Don't blush baby' remark.

The 36-year-old explosive southpaw was fined USD 7,500 and was widely slammed for his inappropriate comments.

The Jamaican, however, had subsequently offered a qualified apology to the reporter but claimed that it was 'a simple joke' that had been blown out of proportion.

Gayle, who seemed to be still offended by the criticism he had received from former Australian players Chris Rogers and Ian Chappell and England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff over the incident, has vented his anger in his new book, "Six Machine: I Don't Like Cricket... I Love It."

Reflecting on the same, the southpaw observed that a throwaway comment in fun was turned into a major international incident by some of the former cricketers.

Following the incident, Flintoff wrote on Twitter, "Big fan of @henrygayle but made himself look a bit of a chop there."

Hitting back over his comments, Gayle described Flintoff as a `cartoon character`, adding that he was amazed to hear such comments from the one he used to trust.

"This coming from a man who admitted he took Viagra during a Test match. Freddie Flintstone, a young boy like you taking Viagra? Don't lecture me. The only chop Freddie knows is when he used to bowl short to me and I would chop him past backward point for four," Gayle was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

Gayle also launched a stunning attack over Chappell and Rogers.

Chappell had demanded for Gayle's suspension from the BBL following the incident while Rogers accused the Caribbean player of setting a bad example for his younger team-mates.

Pocking fun at Rogers, Gayle compared the former Australian opener with a rabbit and asked him to chew a carrot rather than passing pointless comments.

"Chris Rogers, how can you claim that when it was you and me at the bar most nights? I'm not a snitch, but I've heard from your own mouth what you've done. Next time you want to open your mouth, maybe chew on a carrot instead," he added.

The maverick opener also lashed out at Chappell, saying that he was no one to demand for his ban, especially when he himself was convicted of unlawful assault for punching a cricket official in West Indies.

"Ian Chappell, how can you ban the Universe Boss? You'd have to ban cricket itself," he said.

Earlier this week, Gayle sparked another controversy after making tasteless remarks to a female reporter during a recent interview, which touched upon subjects like sex, women and equality.

According to an article published by the London-based journalist, the 36-year-old, who calls himself the 'Universe Boss', asked her whether she had ever had a threesome and claimed to have "a very, very big bat, the biggest in the wooooorld" before adding, 'You think you could lift it? You'd need two hands.

Gayle is currently playing for Royal Bangalore Challengers in the Indian Premier League.

ANI

First published: 24 May 2016, 4:31 IST