Ian Chappell calls on CA to set a precedent in Gayle controversy

Ian Chappell, the former Australian captain, weighed in on the Chris Gayle controversy, calling on Cricket Australia to take a zero-tolerance position against what he deemed as "totally inappropriate" behavior. The West Indian opener drew criticism from various quarters for asking Mel McLaughlin, a senior Big Bash League reporter, out for a drink during an on-field interview. Chappell said he wouldn't be surprised if Australia's cricket board suspended Gayle from participating in any form of organised cricket in the country. "I wouldn't have a problem if Cricket Australia said to the clubs, 'he's never to be contracted again in this country'," he told reporters on Friday (January 8).

"I also wouldn't have a problem if Cricket Australia said to the ICC, 'what we're doing should be worldwide'. You'd have to talk to the individual countries then ... but I wouldn't have a problem if it was tabled at an ICC meeting that Cricket Australia said, 'this is what we're doing and we would recommend that everybody else do the same'. How are you going to stop it otherwise?"Gayle, who was fined $10000 by the Melbourne Renegades, tendered an apology after the incident, stating it was a 'simple' incident and that he'd meant no harm but Chappell noted that the burly Jamaican was a repeat offender and the time was ripe to set a precedent for upcoming male cricketers. "If it was a one-off thing, yeah, slap him with a $10,000 fine and say 'mate, don't do it again'," he said.But every woman I spoke to who's working at the cricket, you got the same answer from. They were quite adamant about it.Despite his uncertain future, Gayle is expected to feature for the Renegades in the Melbourne derby against the Stars on Saturday (January 9).