CA says Chris Gayle welcome in Big Bash League

Cricket Australia says it will not take any steps to prevent West Indian batsman Chris Gayle playing in its Big Bash Twenty20 league next season.
In what appears to be a reversal of position, chief executive James Sutherland told News Corp. Saturday that Cricket Australia would not involve itself in a recruitment issue unless it involved a player implicated in match-fixing.
Gayle's tenure with the Melbourne Renegades in last year's BBL was tainted when he made what was interpreted as a sexist comment to a female television reporter. During a sideline interview he invited reporter Mel McLaughlin for a drink, then said "don't blush baby" when she showed embarrassment.

Gayle was fined USD10,000 for the comments which Sutherland described as "completely inappropriate" and "bordering on harassment."
On Saturday, Sutherland said it was not Cricket Australia's role to exclude players from the Big Bash League.
"No matter what anyone at Cricket Australia thought at management level, board level, I think you're on a slippery slope if you start making judgments on players who could or shouldn't be playing in the Big Bash League or in our domestic competitions," Sutherland said.

"Because, when does that ever end? My view is unless there's a very, very strong reason along the lines of anti-corruption, then it's difficult for us to be making those judgments.

Saturday saw Gayle facing fresh accusations of sexism
following the publication of an interview with female journalist Charlotte Edwardes in The Times magazine.
In the article, the Jamaican opener boasted of his "very, very big bat".
He also asked Edwardes if she had ever "had" a black man and been in a threesome.
The interview also saw Gayle say women did have equality.
"Women can do what they want. Jamaican women are very vocal. They will let you know what time is it, for sure," he said.
Gayle added: "Women should please their man," explaining: "When he comes home, food is on the table. Serious," although if she also works, "they share" and it is down to the "first person home".

Gayle is currently playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League Twenty20 competition.
He is also due to play for Somerset in English cricket's domestic T20 Blast event, having enjoyed a successful spell with the south-west county in 2015.
Somerset chief executive Guy Lavender, responding to the Edwardes interview, said: "We were disappointed to read the report in The Times (magazine).
"Our experience of Chris was very positive when he was with us last season, both on and off the pitch.
"We haven't had the opportunity to discuss this with him yet, but will of course do so when he arrives to play for us in a few days' time.