No place for Gayle in last-chance saloon

05 May 2016 - 02:00 By Sports reporter

Chris Gayle is being frozen out of Australian cricket's T20 competition, the Big Bash.Australian reports said the controversial West Indies batsman's contract would not be renewed by the Melbourne Rebels.During the past cricket season Gayle was accused of sexism while flirting with a woman TV reporter. He invited the reporter, Mel McLaughlin, for a drink, adding: "Don't blush, baby."To which McLaughlin responded: "I'm not blushing."The interview caused a worldwide outcry against Gayle. McLaughlin has since quit her job at Australian TV Channel Ten, where she said she worked "seven days a week ... crazy hours".She was recruited by Channel Seven, where she works five days a week as a sports presenter.While McLaughlin might be in demand in Australia, it seems Gayle isn't.Reports from Sydney said it was understood the Renegades had officially turned their backs on Gayle, meaning the batsman has reached a virtual dead end in his bid to return to Australia. From coach David Saker to chairman Jason Dunstall, the Renegades stood by Gayle throughout the McLaughlin controversy and had remained the last team open to bringing the star back for next summer."However, the last-chance saloon has closed up shop," said the Sydney Daily Telegraph.In Gayle's place the Renegades are set to announce that fellow West Indies player Dwayne Bravo will be signed. Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland said there was no ban on Gayle returning and that clubs were free to sign him. But none have done so.The Sydney Sixers said Gayle did not fit in with their culture or attitudes towards women, and the Perth Scorchers indicated that they felt much the same.Sydney Thunder general manager Nick Cummins said the team wanted to re-sign South African coach Paddy Upton because he was key to the team winning the Big Bash.Upton's two-year deal ended this past summer, but both he and the team remain keen to continue the relationship, said Cummins...

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