Chris Gayle could be reprimanded for asking presenter out on air

Chris Gayle is likely to be reprimanded after he used a post-match interview to ask out a TV news reporter live on air.

Gayle, 36, had just been dismissed having scored 41 off 15 balls in the Melbourne Renegades’ victory over the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League when he was approached for comments by the Network Ten journalist Mel McLaughlin.

She began by asking him about his innings but he quickly steered the conversation away from cricket, saying: “I just wanted to have an interview with you as well, that’s why I batted so well.”

He then added: “Your eyes are beautiful, hopefully we can win this game and then we can have a drink after as well. Don’t blush baby.”

McLaughlin attempted to laugh off the invitation by saying: “I’m not blushing.”

Gayle’s attitude attracted a welter of criticism on Twitter, though Network Ten did not help the situation when it described the West Indian batsman’s approach as “smooth” in a tweet that, according to the Sydney Morning Herald, was then deleted.

Anthony Everhard, head of the Big Bash League, tweeted to say: "I heard Chris's comments and they're disrespectful and simply inappropriate.

“We’ll certainly be talking to him and the Renegades about it. Theis league is all about it’s appeal to kids, families and females.

“There’s just no place in the BBL - or for that matter cricket anywhere - for that sort of behaviour.”

The Renegades chief executive Stuart Coventry agreed. "We'll certainly be talking to him in association with Cricket Australia about it," he said. "There's just no place for that sort of behaviour."

The former England Test player and Ten commentator Andrew Flintoff was also unimpressed, tweeting: "Well played @Mel_Mclaughlin !! Big fan of @henrygayle but made himself look a bit of a chop there @tensporttv #bbl05."