Gayle fined by Big Bash team

SYDNEY (AP) - Chris Gayle was fined but avoided suspension for making inappropriate comments to a female reporter in a live TV interview during a Big Bash League Twenty20 match in Australia.

After scoring 41 from 15 deliveries for the Melbourne Renegades in a win over the Hobart Hurricanes on Monday night, the former West Indies captain suggested to television reporter Mel McLaughlin that the pair go out for a drink and made remarks about her appearance. He added, "Don't blush, baby" during an awkward pause in the interview.

Cricket Australia's chief executive James Sutherland yesterday joined the criticism of Gayle's suggestive comments, saying it bordered on harassment and was inappropriate in the workplace.

Renegades chief executive Stuart Coventry reacted by fining Gayle $10,000 Australian dollars (US$7,300).

"It was done in jest but it's inappropriate," Coventry said.

Coventry said Gayle was "quite surprised" when informed of the fine, which will be donated to charity.

Sutherland said Gayle "got it badly wrong last night."

"It's not a nightclub -- it's actually a workplace, it's Chris Gayle's workplace and it's Mel McLaughlin's workplace and those comments border on harassment and are inappropriate for cricket and inappropriate for the workplace," he said.

Sutherland said that because the Renegades had sanctioned Gayle, the veteran batsman would not face further action from Cricket Australia for this incident.

Coventry and Gayle both apologised to McLaughlin, with the player defending his comments as a "simple joke."

"There wasn't anything meant to be disrespectful or offensive to Mel. If she felt that way, I'm really sorry for that," Gayle was quoted as saying by Australian Associated Press. "There wasn't any harm meant in that particular way.

"It was a simple joke -- the game was going on. Things get out of proportion but these things happen."

McLaughlin said in a television interview yesterday she accepted the apology and wanted to put the episode behind her, adding that she'd prefer to be talking about cricket than being at the centre of a controversy.

"I've not spoken to (Gayle) personally," she said. "I know he issued an apology. I accept that and I just want to move on."