Melbourne, Cape Town: The Melbourne Renegades are considering bringing back Chris Gayle for another ‘Big Bash’ cricket tournament despite the furore the West Indies batsman caused by asking a reporter out on a date during a televised interview.

Gayle was fined A$10,000 ($7,500; Dh27,844) and slammed by Renegades’ management in January after directing personal comments at Channel Ten reporter Mel McLaughlin.

“To see your eyes for the first time is nice,” the 36-year-old said. “Hopefully, we can have a drink afterwards. Don’t blush, baby.”

The Jamaican later told reporters it was a “simple joke” that had been blown out of proportion and offered a qualified apology to McLaughlin.

Victoria state and Renegades coach David Saker said that while Gayle’s behaviour was wrong it would not factor into his recruiting decisions.

“I just pick a squad of players. If the hierarchies or people in higher positions than myself come down on that, they do,” Saker told local media.

“We know it was the wrong thing to do and he probably identified that quite quickly. We all did. But I think what happened afterwards was a bit of a beat-up.

“There’s still a chance of [recruiting Gayle].

“To be fair we probably need an overseas bowler though. We’re looking at whether to go down that track or to recruit a bowler from inside Australia.

“So we’re going through whether we need to re-sign Chris Gayle.”

One of the world’s most devastating limited overs batsmen, the former West Indies captain celebrated a second World Twenty20 win in India last month.

Pollard to rejoin Cobras

Meanwhile, West Indies power hitter Kieron Pollard is set to rejoin the Cape Cobras in South Africa’s Ram Slam T20 cricket Challenge scheduled to be played later this year.

Chief executive officer of the Cape Cobras, Nabeal Dien, has signalled his intention to sign Pollard again after two seasons with the Trinidadian all-rounder, reports CMC.

“The plan is that Kieron will join the Cape Cobras next season in the Ram Slam T20 Challenge,” said Nabeal Dien on Tuesday.

“We signed him in 2015 for two seasons, and we would like him to return”.

Pollard was South Africa’s domestic T20-player of the year in 2015 after scoring 243 runs at an average of 81. He also captured 14 wickets at an average of 14.57 in the 2014-15 edition of the Ram Slam T20 Challenge.

“He is not just a professional, but he wants to contribute to victories,” said Dane Vilas, senior player of the Cape Cobras.

“He loves to win. He is very approachable. Kieron helps where he can quite a lot”.