“Out of the Big Bash League this year, will spend time with family”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Flamboyant West Indies opener Chris Gayle has confirmed that he will not be featuring in the upcoming edition of the Big Bash League (BBL).

Gayle announced his decision to miss the tournament in an on-field interview during the Chittagong Vikings’ Bangladesh Premier League match against the Rangpur Riders.

As for the reason why Gayle has opted out of the one of the biggest domestic Twenty20 tournaments in the world, the 37-year-old has revealed that he wants to spend more time with his family.

“Out of the Big Bash League this year, will spend time with family,” Gayle told the commentators during the match.

In the 2015/16 BBL, Gayle, who played for the Melbourne Renegades, came under heavy criticism following his on-air interview with Network 10 reporter Mel McLaughlin, during which he asked her out for a drink and told her “don’t blush, baby”.

Gayle apologised for his comments, but was fined $10,000 by Cricket Australia, who considered banning him from competing in future editions of the tournament, but decided not to do that.

The 2016/17 BBL season begins on December 20, while the final is scheduled to be played on January 28.