By Stephan Sookram
FORMER Guyana and West Indies captain Ramnaresh Sarwan has weighed in on the recent issue surrounding former team mate and Jamaican batsman Chris Gayle and his comments to female journalist Mel McLaughlin during a televised interview during the Australian Big Bash League. During an interview, “Ronnie,” as he is commonly known, slammed those who were making issue of the comments, dubbing it ridiculous.
“I think it’s ridiculous, if you really know the guy then you would know that he is joking and he didn’t mean anything and to take it out of the context that they are taking it or to blow it to the proportion that the whole wide world is blowing it, to make CNN news, I just think it’s ridiculous,” said Sarwan.
The right-handed batsman continued, “It was just a casual comment or a joke, if you shared a dressing room with him or you are around him, it’s just a normal thing for him, he doesn’t mean any harm. The fact that he did it on television meant that he was joking about it.”
He went on to add that those making a big fuss on social media need to understand that he was in no way trying to disrespect Mel McLaughlin.
He also took to task comments by Australian cricket great Ian Chappell, who called for the `big’ Jamaican to be banned worldwide following those comments.
“I think we as West Indians should respond to that, especially we the guys who have played with him. I don’t think that we should take that very easily to have someone calling for one of our players to be banned around the world,” said the 35 year old.
He continued, “Obviously Chris would have the support of me and many other players and I think that he has been getting many good responses on Facebook and social media. He’s a big guy, he is strong enough and I’m sure he has experienced worse things before and he will rise from it.”
Gayle has been the subject of much criticism following an interview with McLaughlin after responding to one of her questions with, “Hopefully, we can win this game and we can have a drink after,” Gayle told the reporter, before quickly adding, “don’t blush, baby.”
McLaughlin, who appeared momentarily taken aback by the comment, replied: “I’m not blushing.”
During the same interview, the batsman had also apologised to the journalist, concluding the interview by saying sorry, followed by a pat on the shoulder.
He had been fined 10,000 dollars for the comment and his club, the Melbourne Renegades, has formally apologised to McLaughlin.
Gayle himself was quoted as saying, “There wasn’t anything at all meant to be disrespectful or offensive to Mel and if she felt that way, I’m really sorry for that.”
She subsequently accepted the apology.