I am not a playboy, says Gayle

My personality is such that it’s easy for me to talk to people and vice-versa," he said.

Colombo: Chris Gayle, inarguably the most destructive batsman in ODIs and T20 Internationals, doesn’t see himself as a playboy.

“I’m not one... In fact, who is a playboy? My personality is such that it’s easy for me to talk to people and vice-versa... I’m a relaxed type of person, with an open mind,” Gayle told The Telegraph.

Speaking at the P. Sara Oval on Thursday evening, after the West Indies’ practice session, Gayle smiled and added: “I like colours... Bright colours... I’m a colourful person, you know.”

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Looking ahead to Friday’s World Twenty20 semi-final against Australia, Gayle said: “They’ve been playing well, but we believe we can beat them... Self-belief is important and we have it.”

Gayle, a former captain, accepted that the West Indies did have a “few hiccups” in the tournament, but insisted that the team was in the “right frame of mind.”

Up for the challenge, in other words.

Meanwhile, manager Richie Richardson has instructed that nobody say a word about the “incident” involving four from his team and three women from the UK.

A member of the team management, however, made a few observations during a one-on-one:

(A) That Gayle got dragged into the controversy as he’s “the most visible face” in the squad;

(B) That the Australians had actually been partying at the same team hotel (Cinnamon Grand) and they’d “invited” outsiders;

(C) That the posse of Ministerial Security Division personnel “over-reacted” and were discourteous as well.

Even though the “incident” happened around 3.30 am on Wednesday, confusion prevails over the sequence of events.

Apparently, even Richardson and Co. aren’t absolutely sure. But expect Gayle to take it out on George Bailey and his men.