Latest update February 7th, 2025 2:57 PM
Jan 13, 2016 Sports
By Sean Devers
Former West Indies Captain, Guyanese Ramnaresh Sarwan has called on West Indians to take a stand against former Australian Skipper Ian Chappell, turn Commentator, who is calling for Jamaican Chris Gayle to be
banned worldwide following comments he made to a female journalist during a televised interview during the Big Bash League in Australia.
“I think we as West Indians should respond to that, especially the guys who have played with him. I don’t think that we should take that so easily to have someone calling for one of our players to be banned around the world for something that has been blown out of proportions.”
The 72-year-old Chappell would be remembered by many Guyanese for an incident which resulted in assault charges brought against him following an attack on a Guyana Cricket Board Official at Bourda in 1979 after he had dropped his pants while on the field at the same venue four years earlier. In response to the ‘dropping of his pants’ incident Chappell said, “It’s a joke”
“Chris has my support and that of 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 this.” The 35-year-old Sarwan said.
Responding to a question on his innings asked by McLaughlin, Gayle said “Hopefully we can win this game and we can have a drink after,” before telling the reporter “don’t blush, baby.”
McLaughlin, who appeared surprised by the comment, replied: “I’m not blushing.” Gayle, the world’s
number one T20 batsman, was fined US$7,000 for the comment and his club, the Melbourne Renegades, has formally apologised to McLaughlin.
At the end of the interview, the big hitting left-hander apologized to the journalist, saying ‘sorry’ followed by a pat on the shoulder.
“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.” Gayle stated. McLaughlin subsequently accepted the apology.
“If you really know the guy then you would know that he was joking and that he didn’t mean anything. They (Australia Media) took it out of the context and the whole world is now blowing it up. The story even made CNN news and I think it’s ridiculous,” said Sarwan.
Sarwan added that those making big fuss on social media need to understand that the 36-year-old Gayle was in no way trying to disrespect McLaughlin. He told Kaieteur Sport that he is looking forward to getting back on the field with his former West Indies teammate when he comes to Guyana to participate in the ‘Unity Cricket’ on January 30 at Providence. Sarwan will lead one of the teams at that event.
Feb 07, 2025
2025 CWI Regional 4-Day Championships Round 2…GHE vs. CCC Day 2 -Eagles (1st innings 166-6, Imlach 58*) trail CCC by 209 runs Kaieteur Sports- Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) owned Day 2...Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News-There is little dispute that Donald Trump knows how to make an entrance. He does so without... more
Antiguan Barbudan Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- The upcoming election... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]