Chris Gayle in sexist remark storm in Caribbean Premier League

Chris Gayle in action for the Jamaican Tallawahs (©GettyImages).

The West Indies superstar and one of the main attractions in the Caribbean Premier League, Chris Gayle, has been embroiled in a sexism scandal after a remark during a press conference last week.

The day before last Thursday's game between Jamaica Tallawahs, who Gayle captain's, and Antigua Hawksbills the West Indian was being questioned by a female journalist.

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The journalist said to Gayle: "How does the pitch feel so far in terms of training (and) the weather?" to which the West Indian replied: "Well I haven't touched yours yet so I don't know how it feels" and then added "I like your smile; that's nice."

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West Indian women's rights groups were highly critical of the former West Indies skipper and were also deeply unhappy with the response from the Caribbean Premier League where a spokesman was quoted as saying: "Chris is excited for the tournament and was having a laugh with a journalist, who had a laugh back; there was no malice intended. The lady in question had a jovial goodbye chat with him and we don’t believe this was the action of someone who was offended.”

Apology demanded

Women's rights groups though are demanding an apology from Gayle.

The following day Gayle played a major role in the game itself as the Jamaican Tallawahs comfortably beat Antigua by 8 wickets with 33 balls remaining. Gayle scored 37 runs from 31 balls in Jamaica's run-chase.

Prior to this game, on the 13th July, Gayle had also smashed an unbeaten 111 from just 63 balls, with five fours and ten sixes, as the Tallawahs comfortably defeated St Lucia Zouks by seven wickets. This was Gayle's first CPL hundred as the reigning champions began their defence of the title in style.

Criticism coming in from all sides

Their form continued on Sunday when the Tallawahs took top spot in the league as they beat the previously unbeaten Guyana Amazon Warriors by just four runs.

Chris Gayle's side now take on the Trinidad and Tobago's Red Steel in Port of Spain on Saturday as the CPL star looks to put this saga behind him.