Is Gayle the only one to blame for blushgate?
If cricket truly want to make a stand against sexism on and off the field, then cricket administrators and broadcasters need to do it properly
05-Jan-2016
A lot has been made of Chris Gayle's comments towards Channel Ten reporter Mel McLaughlin, with several commentators and writers criticising the batsman for his "disrespectful" remarks. However, Dennis Freedman, writing in his blog Dennis Does Cricket, looks at the other side of the coin and asks why the Melbourne Renegades even recruited Gayle, if they were fully aware of his flirtatious history.
So yes, Chris Gayle said something that was inappropriate, disrespectful and stupid….again. But the blame must also lie with others who knew that these risks existed and took them anyhow. If cricket truly want to make a stand against this type of thing, then cricket administrators and broadcasters need to do it properly. Be consistent. Don't allow people to push the boundary on this issue with words, comments or advertising.Because until that happens, you are only making a stand on the issue when it suits.Currently, events like the one that happened with Chris Gayle are avoidable risks that cricket and broadcasters are accepting.
Russell Jackson, writing for the Guardian, believes that Gayle's "creepy" proposition to McLaughlin was another harsh reminder of the fact that women are heavily outnumbered in a world full male entitlement and arrested development.
Sadly, Gayle is not a lone ranger. In the past couple of years I've watched greats of sport - men with OBEs and legions of fans - boldly and publicly sleaze on to female members of the media with no shame. It makes me wonder what they're like when the veneer of professionalism is removed altogether and they're operating out in society. Lock up your daughters? More like arm yourself with mace