Gayle comments reflect cricket's pervasive sexism
Last night I went to dinner near the SCG, and spoke to the Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland. We talked about women's cricket, about how the WBBL was growing, how Ten's television coverage was a breakthrough, about how we'd been to far too many dinners, drinks and functions where the women's game was dismissed as a sideshow. "The biggest thing that needs to change in women's cricket," he said, "is how men think about it."
Last night, after we settled into our tables, I sat down alongside the WACA chief executive, Christina Matthews. We spoke about writing, and about how her partner had picked up a new book, The Keepers, in recognition of Matthews' years wearing the gloves for the Australian women's team. There was a Matthews listed in the index, her partner said, but a sense of anticipation was let down when this turned out to be a man.
Last night I heard the new CA chairman David Peever say a few words as the centrepiece of the dinner, put on by the LBW Trust chairman Darshak Mehta. Peever mentioned how his mum and dad had cricket in the house on television and radio throughout his childhood. He also mentioned how his mother knew little of cricket, but when the coverage began, she could be heard to say "there's Richie". Peever closed by saying he hoped to see a day when close to half of Australia's cricket participants were women.
Last night after dinner, I noticed a missed call from the West Indies media manager. It was about Chris Gayle, and his words with the Ten broadcaster Mel McLaughlin. I found a video of the exchange - to call it an interview would be to wrongly suggest that Gayle actually answered questions - and watched how McLaughlin grinned and bore the first intimation of something outside work, then closed her eyes and put on a mask of indifference at the second.
Last night I logged onto Twitter and saw the responses to these words. There was outrage and frustration, but also indignation that anyone should be expected to talk about cricket, and not spew rubbish pick-up lines, when being interviewed about it. I saw Ten's own account initially respond to Gayle's words with the hashtag #smooth, and I saw the Australian footballer Tim Cahill tell Gayle he had been "on fire tonight brother". I also saw Taylor Walker, the Adelaide Crows captain, say this: "A bit of fun by @henrygayle everybody relax - no one hurt, injured or dead!" He was right on two counts.
Last night I called a female journalism colleague, a skillful and tireless operator, and listened to her speak of the episode not with shock or anger, but with weariness. I heard her say that she hated what was happening, but also that she hated the inevitable backlash when speaking up about it. I heard her say that nobody wants to be "that girl", like the one who called out harassment by the former David Jones chief executive Mark McInnes, or the DFAT official who raised concerns about the behaviour of the now former Government Minister Jamie Briggs. I heard her exasperation.
Last night I spoke to other female friends working in media, who offered up strikingly similar thoughts. One offered this: "I honestly left sports journalism because I thought it'd never be satisfying. No matter what females in sport achieve, it's all undermined by dickheads at the pub who don't listen to what women say because they're too busy marking them out of 10 for their looks. Mel shouldn't have had to cop that. It was humiliating and he didn't stop when she was clearly uncomfortable. I just hate that now this will be what people talk about, because she's a pro and better than that."
Last night I called the CA head of public affairs, who had just been on the phone to Anthony Everard, the head of the BBL. Everard said this: "I heard Chris' comments and they're disrespectful and simply inappropriate. We'll certainly be talking to him and the Renegades about it. This league is all about its appeal to kids, families and females. There's just no place in the BBL - or, for that matter, cricket anywhere - for that sort of behaviour."
Last night I wondered how cricket, and sport, could so alienate half the population. Cricket has long struggled to attract a female audience, as befits a game where the home pavilion at Lord's did not permit women to enter until 1999. It has come a long way since that most basic of reforms, but still has so far to go. As Sutherland told the ABC, "I think the support we are seeing through television ratings is really important, but I think more important is the psyche around the fact that cricket is a sport for girls too, and I really sense that people are starting to understand that." Starting to.
Last night, I concluded, is not tomorrow.
Daniel Brettig is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. @danbrettig
Comments have now been closed for this article
@MODERNUMPIRESPLZ - Nobody is bigger than the game & your opinion that the "BBL has more to lose by losing Gayle" sounds a little bit hollow considering last season the competition went through the roof with record ratings & crowds & all this without Gayle! Now it has come to light he has quite a number of less than tactful efforts including exposing himself last WC, so much for one-off.
It really churns my stomach reading some of these comments. The incident itself was bad enough really. It was sleazy. And to call her 'baby' was downright insulting. Any man who thinks it is ok to call a woman they do not know 'baby' is a joke. On the point of women's cricket, I think the day when it reaches the skill of women's hockey will be terrific. I somewhat prefer the women to the men in hockey because it's more about skill than power. Anyway, I watch the women's cricket games with basically the same level of enthusiasm I had when the BBL started on channel 10, last year or so. Now I at least feel a little enthusiasm for the Hurricanes, but it's still just 20-20. So I have the men's matches on every night, but I tune in and out. I find it very hard to concentrate on these matches because each run, each wicket, doesn't really mean anything. I actually feel there is more tenseness in the women's game than the mens because runs and wickets have more meaning. That's just my input.
Just ban him from cricket and done with this kinda bad behaviour.
uf what needs change is the way men think of womens cricket. then make the cricket better. ive watched it followed it but its not so interesting. nothing wrong with that. the womens team is good with some good cricketers in it no doubt they give there all and play hard for thee teams. but needs to improve o long way to be a main event. hope they get there one day.
Chris Gayle deserves to be condemned and pulled up because what he did was against the norms of decent behaviour, not because he represents "Cricket's pervasive sexism".
The fact is that we live in an age when success and hedonism outweigh traditional values, and this cuts across all walks of life. To pillory Cricket for what is essentially a reflection of society's weakness is to miss the woods for the trees.
To those who bemoan the state of women's cricket, let's not forget that Cricket, like many other sports, developed as a game for men; and that men's cricket draws greater audiences even from among women than women's cricket. That's just a reality that women cricketers have to live with.
Instead of turning this into a debate about gender politics in Cricket, let's turn our ire against the man who behaved like an arrogant lout, and make sure he's punished severely enough for others not to follow his example!
OK. so those who comment that she only got the job because of how she looks, to an extent yes. looking good on camera certainly helps but that applies to men also. if you watch the coverage, the instinctive reaction from the commentators. after a few seconds (during which the producer probably had a word) suddenly one of them starts talking about what a well informed and important member of the team Mel is etc. When Gayle went to sit down after the interviews, the team seemed to think it was all highly amusing. Yes, Gayle is a silly man and (sexism or not) it was quite cringe worthy but I am not sure whether I am more annoyed by those who encouraged him and promptly went silent or the artificially pious comments from Sutherland. My advice to Gayle. Next time a man interviews you during a match, ask him if he fancies a pint after the game and see if there is the same reaction.
as a cricket fan, seriously not interested in female journo's anyway
Well - was pathetic behviour by a great sportsman and a terrific entertainer...but to lump with this with all the media savvy and eye ball attention labels is going a bit over the top....would i be considered ....ist or what combo of words you want before ist if i said i preferred to watch women's tennis, badminton, table tennis, volleyball, gymnastics- athletics over women's cricket, football, rugby, squash, motorsport racing etc?
Mel was hired for her extensive cricketing knowledge and interviewing style ... not because she's attractive ^^^ sarcasm ^^^
You people meed to understand there are laws here on this thing in work place situations which this was classified. He was way out of line & has plenty of form like this as well.
@MODERNUMPIRESPLZ - Nobody is bigger than the game & your opinion that the "BBL has more to lose by losing Gayle" sounds a little bit hollow considering last season the competition went through the roof with record ratings & crowds & all this without Gayle! Now it has come to light he has quite a number of less than tactful efforts including exposing himself last WC, so much for one-off.
It really churns my stomach reading some of these comments. The incident itself was bad enough really. It was sleazy. And to call her 'baby' was downright insulting. Any man who thinks it is ok to call a woman they do not know 'baby' is a joke. On the point of women's cricket, I think the day when it reaches the skill of women's hockey will be terrific. I somewhat prefer the women to the men in hockey because it's more about skill than power. Anyway, I watch the women's cricket games with basically the same level of enthusiasm I had when the BBL started on channel 10, last year or so. Now I at least feel a little enthusiasm for the Hurricanes, but it's still just 20-20. So I have the men's matches on every night, but I tune in and out. I find it very hard to concentrate on these matches because each run, each wicket, doesn't really mean anything. I actually feel there is more tenseness in the women's game than the mens because runs and wickets have more meaning. That's just my input.
Just ban him from cricket and done with this kinda bad behaviour.
uf what needs change is the way men think of womens cricket. then make the cricket better. ive watched it followed it but its not so interesting. nothing wrong with that. the womens team is good with some good cricketers in it no doubt they give there all and play hard for thee teams. but needs to improve o long way to be a main event. hope they get there one day.
Chris Gayle deserves to be condemned and pulled up because what he did was against the norms of decent behaviour, not because he represents "Cricket's pervasive sexism".
The fact is that we live in an age when success and hedonism outweigh traditional values, and this cuts across all walks of life. To pillory Cricket for what is essentially a reflection of society's weakness is to miss the woods for the trees.
To those who bemoan the state of women's cricket, let's not forget that Cricket, like many other sports, developed as a game for men; and that men's cricket draws greater audiences even from among women than women's cricket. That's just a reality that women cricketers have to live with.
Instead of turning this into a debate about gender politics in Cricket, let's turn our ire against the man who behaved like an arrogant lout, and make sure he's punished severely enough for others not to follow his example!
OK. so those who comment that she only got the job because of how she looks, to an extent yes. looking good on camera certainly helps but that applies to men also. if you watch the coverage, the instinctive reaction from the commentators. after a few seconds (during which the producer probably had a word) suddenly one of them starts talking about what a well informed and important member of the team Mel is etc. When Gayle went to sit down after the interviews, the team seemed to think it was all highly amusing. Yes, Gayle is a silly man and (sexism or not) it was quite cringe worthy but I am not sure whether I am more annoyed by those who encouraged him and promptly went silent or the artificially pious comments from Sutherland. My advice to Gayle. Next time a man interviews you during a match, ask him if he fancies a pint after the game and see if there is the same reaction.
as a cricket fan, seriously not interested in female journo's anyway
Well - was pathetic behviour by a great sportsman and a terrific entertainer...but to lump with this with all the media savvy and eye ball attention labels is going a bit over the top....would i be considered ....ist or what combo of words you want before ist if i said i preferred to watch women's tennis, badminton, table tennis, volleyball, gymnastics- athletics over women's cricket, football, rugby, squash, motorsport racing etc?
Mel was hired for her extensive cricketing knowledge and interviewing style ... not because she's attractive ^^^ sarcasm ^^^
You people meed to understand there are laws here on this thing in work place situations which this was classified. He was way out of line & has plenty of form like this as well.
As someone who has tried to report a female employee of the organization that I work with, for sexual harassment, I can tell you that I my complaints had been met with reactions ranging from disbelief, to snigger, to sheer disdain and mockery. The woman is a serial offender, but gets away with a little rap on the arm and tut-tutting. I suppose if the roles were reversed, everyone would be having a jolly good laugh...like here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2876994/Nuala-Hafner-chats-hunky-tattooed-beachgoer-mid-weather-report-gets-knocked-back.html
Most of the comments sans huh_what_que/blacknight indicate a realistic sexist strain amongst cricket lovers. Sad. Then again, tomorrow is a far way off for cricket compared to other global sports with strong female presence. Mithali Raj debuted in 2002 and has played 10 tests till date, and that's the richest board. Says a lot doesn't it?
This article is well wide of the mark. Being very sanctimonious without any recourse to the context in which domestic league 20/20 matches are played.
IPL, BBL are festival'esque, breezy affairs where in many ways results are secondary to 'the show'. This is reflected in the on field running commentaries from players during the games. It's a male league, without knowing numbers I assume I'd be on very safe ground in stating TV viewership numbers are heavily skewed towards a male audience. TV executives recognise this and deliberately bring sex into the mix by using attractive young female presenters: I'm sure in many cases well qualified ones, but in others such as the short lived Mel Sykes covering MotoGP for BT Sports, ill informed failures.
Chris Gayle's comments were no different to similar lines used by men and women thousands of times over every day in bars, shops, restaurants or the streets of the world. Why is he being castigated for asking a woman to share a drink with him?
James Franco in The Interview: It's 2014, women are smart now
@NARESHGB1 - why should they stick to covering the women's game? Have you completely missed the point? Maybe sexist bigots can stick to keep their mouth's shut. That would be a better option.
Cricinfo could do more. The Women's BBL does not have a shortcut on the front page. The BBL shortcut has no Women's BBL links. Dan - this is a fine article. Now get your employers on board.
Maybe Mel and Melinda can stick to covering the women's game then?
What a way to blow something out of proportion. "The biggest thing that needs to change in women's cricket," he said, "is how men think about it." Give me a break. Male cricket fans prefer watching men's cricket just like male football fans prefer watching men's football. You can't force men to watch something they simply don't want to watch. If you want women's cricket to get more popular, get the women interested, not the men. After all, there are about as many women out there as there are men.
Cricket's pervasive sexism? Hyperbole like this does nothing to address any genuine issues. There is little culture of sexism in cricket. What there is in Australia is a PC brigade ready and prepared to jump on anyone that puts the tiniest foot over the line, and they are ready to shame and crush. This is the truth. Gayle should be criticised for this. But it will soon go much further and he will be ostracised and sent packing. It is just a matter of time. This is the nature of the country we now live in.
Gayle should have been suspended the whole tournament, 10k is peanuts for him
Last night I wondered when will CA show the same level of sincerity in dealing with sledging. Australian players have crossed the line way too many times, but have never been rapped on the knuckles like Gayle, atleast not with such swiftness.
Then again, last night I concluded, it's not tomorrow
Silly of Gayle to do what he did but to position that as a reflection of sexism in cricket is far fetched and quite frankly, an over reaction.
If she was a pro she would've handled it better. Being visibly pained (I haven't seen it but by all accounts she is) isn't what the pros do. Personally don't care though, the BBL has more to lose by Gayle leaving than Gayle has to lose being kicked out so whatever. Might be nice to see a decision made by CA that will hurt CA's wallet be made for once, but I won't hold my breath on it. Which seems strange, considering how severe Sutherland's words are you'd think there'd be no hesitation in ejecting him from the competition entirely instead of gently tapping the shoulder of his franchise. Oh, right, the money...
If I say "I'm not particularly interested in women's cricket", is that automatically considered sexist?
Mel McLaughlin is an absolute professional and should not have to put up with what she had to put up with last night. Chris Gayle's so called apology was as disgraceful as his behaviour last night. I hope they throw the book at him.
"The biggest thing that needs to change in women's cricket," he said, "is how men think about it." What an appalling generalisation. There are a variety of views and opinions, all of which have a right to be expressed. It's called Freedom of Speech. As for this current storm in a teacup, it was a joke: a bad one, and not very funny, but a joke nonetheless. If women's cricket is to be truly treated equally, then some people need to stop being so precious. Most women are quite strong enough to brush this off and don't need self-appointed saviours to rush to their aid. A sense of proportion is required here - please!
Gaye has apologised and that should put the matter to rest. I'm all for women's cricket being given every oppurtunity to catch on with the public. one wonders why one of the many talented female cricketers who've represented their country wasn't asking the questions to gayle last night. I'm sure there are many former and current female cricketers who would jump at the chance.
Last year during the BBL my wife and I both felt that Mel was a little out of her depth on the TV coverage. However this year we both feel that Mel is a lot more confident and less nervous. She has built a good rapport with the other commentators and has won us over. We genuinely hope that the comments made by Gayle do not impact her self confidence. We agree that it was very shabby behaviour from a great cricketer. Hopefully this has highlighted the tough job women have being accepted as sports journalists in male sports. I think it is great that we have women bringing a different voice to male sports, not just netball, etc. On that note I thought the girls who are commentating on the TV coverage of WBBL are great, and maybe their experience playing at the top level gives them an advantage. One more comment I would like to make is the performance of the female umpires in the WBBL has been impressive. One day we may see a female umpire officiating a men's test match...here's hoping.
Disappointing piece from Bretigg. Gayle is a free spirited guy, who says and does stuff for fun most of the time. This is where our rules and policing of what is appropriate and not appropriate is sucking out all the fun, freespirit and enjoyment from anything. Gayle is not a sexist. The anchor should have laughed it off, or given him a witty response and laughed the whole thing off. Instead we are going to chastise Gayle and make sure all such interviews are boring and monotonous and follow a strict code from now on, lest someone gets offended again.
This article 100% hits the point. I know what Gayle said was in jest but there's no need to defend him. Great cricketer, terrible diplomat!
How terrible. Poor Woman. Gayle should banned for life.
I was watching the TV with the sound off - as I always do - and I could tell something really uncomfortable was happening from the expression on McLaughlin's face. Needless to say completely inappropriate from Gayle and I am glad to see the corporate bigwigs come out in support of McLaughlin.
No featured comments at the moment.
I was watching the TV with the sound off - as I always do - and I could tell something really uncomfortable was happening from the expression on McLaughlin's face. Needless to say completely inappropriate from Gayle and I am glad to see the corporate bigwigs come out in support of McLaughlin.
How terrible. Poor Woman. Gayle should banned for life.
This article 100% hits the point. I know what Gayle said was in jest but there's no need to defend him. Great cricketer, terrible diplomat!
Disappointing piece from Bretigg. Gayle is a free spirited guy, who says and does stuff for fun most of the time. This is where our rules and policing of what is appropriate and not appropriate is sucking out all the fun, freespirit and enjoyment from anything. Gayle is not a sexist. The anchor should have laughed it off, or given him a witty response and laughed the whole thing off. Instead we are going to chastise Gayle and make sure all such interviews are boring and monotonous and follow a strict code from now on, lest someone gets offended again.
Last year during the BBL my wife and I both felt that Mel was a little out of her depth on the TV coverage. However this year we both feel that Mel is a lot more confident and less nervous. She has built a good rapport with the other commentators and has won us over. We genuinely hope that the comments made by Gayle do not impact her self confidence. We agree that it was very shabby behaviour from a great cricketer. Hopefully this has highlighted the tough job women have being accepted as sports journalists in male sports. I think it is great that we have women bringing a different voice to male sports, not just netball, etc. On that note I thought the girls who are commentating on the TV coverage of WBBL are great, and maybe their experience playing at the top level gives them an advantage. One more comment I would like to make is the performance of the female umpires in the WBBL has been impressive. One day we may see a female umpire officiating a men's test match...here's hoping.
Gaye has apologised and that should put the matter to rest. I'm all for women's cricket being given every oppurtunity to catch on with the public. one wonders why one of the many talented female cricketers who've represented their country wasn't asking the questions to gayle last night. I'm sure there are many former and current female cricketers who would jump at the chance.
"The biggest thing that needs to change in women's cricket," he said, "is how men think about it." What an appalling generalisation. There are a variety of views and opinions, all of which have a right to be expressed. It's called Freedom of Speech. As for this current storm in a teacup, it was a joke: a bad one, and not very funny, but a joke nonetheless. If women's cricket is to be truly treated equally, then some people need to stop being so precious. Most women are quite strong enough to brush this off and don't need self-appointed saviours to rush to their aid. A sense of proportion is required here - please!
Mel McLaughlin is an absolute professional and should not have to put up with what she had to put up with last night. Chris Gayle's so called apology was as disgraceful as his behaviour last night. I hope they throw the book at him.
If I say "I'm not particularly interested in women's cricket", is that automatically considered sexist?
If she was a pro she would've handled it better. Being visibly pained (I haven't seen it but by all accounts she is) isn't what the pros do. Personally don't care though, the BBL has more to lose by Gayle leaving than Gayle has to lose being kicked out so whatever. Might be nice to see a decision made by CA that will hurt CA's wallet be made for once, but I won't hold my breath on it. Which seems strange, considering how severe Sutherland's words are you'd think there'd be no hesitation in ejecting him from the competition entirely instead of gently tapping the shoulder of his franchise. Oh, right, the money...