London : West Indies’ two-time World T20-winning captain Darren Sammy has defended his team-mate Chris Gayle, who has once again revived accusations of sexism against him with some lewd comments in an interview with a British daily.
Gayle, 36, came under fire for asking Australian broadcaster Mel McLaughlin out on a date in a live television interview during a Big Bash Twenty20 game in January. In the ongoing IPL, the Royal Challengers Bangalore opener sparked another sexism row when he asked a Times journalist a string of inappropriate questions. Sammy, however, chose to play down the latest row.
He said, “I always support Chris because of what he does on a cricket field. Yes, we have a responsibility to ourselves, and the people who watch us, but sometimes I feel Chris is a target for newspaper headlines.”
Sammy called for West Indies’ players and administrators to put their “egos” on the back burner for the the betterment of cricket in the Caribbean islands.
“It’s sad that for so long it’s been a back-and-forth between the board and players. But these three wins show we can win cricket at all levels, and if we could work together, that’s all you need. Players and board working together, sharing a common goal, with no egos. It would be better for West Indies cricket but at the moment it’s just not happening,” Sammy said.
“They always say sports and politics don’t mix, which is true. But at the end you have to give credit to the most important thing, which is the cricket. And who plays the cricket? The cricketers,” he added.
“Chris Gayle is the universe boss, a team-mate of mine who I admire and respect. I just think people target Chris for no reason. To me, Chris is one of our cricketing heroes. He’s an entertainer, first, but a lot of people have jumped on his back.” – Daren Sammy
