Chris Gayle has vehemently denied the allegations against him

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Cricket coach Donovan Miller has told the New South Wales Supreme Court that West Indies opener Chris Gayle has become “reserved and scared” around women since a masseuse accused him of exposing himself in front of her.

Miller, who was born in Jamaica but now lives in Essex, revealed that he had known Gayle since he was 16 and learnt of the allegations against the 38-year-old via social media.

“We all thought it was a joke,” Miller told the jury.

When asked about Gayle’s reputation, Miller said: “Everyone loves him.”

Miller added that Gayle was a “big figurehead” and a “big role model to young cricketers”.

Upon the allegations being published by Fairfax Media in January last year, Miller admitted that he had noticed a change in Gayle’s character.

“At this point he’s very reserved and scared … especially with females, because he always thinks someone’s out to get him,” Miller said.

Miller’s comments come after sports massage therapist Leanne Russell claimed that she saw the “top half of Chris’s penis” after he pulled his towel down.

The alleged incident occurred on February 11, 2015 at the Drummoyne Oval in Sydney.

Russell had been helping the West Indies team and told the court that Gayle was in a training shirt and towel when she entered the changing room.

Recounting what had happened, Russell told the jury: “He said, ‘what are you looking for?’ I said, ‘a towel,’ he replied, ‘are you looking for this?’ and pulled his towel out and down I proceeded to shield my eyes and I said, ‘no,’and I exited the change room. I saw the top half of his penis, apologies, and I therefore shielded my view and left the change room.”

Russell added that the previous day, batsman Dwayne Smith had sent her a text message which contained the word “sexy” in it. Smith has confirmed that he did send the message to Russell.