Gayle in new sexism row

Chris Gayle is facing fresh allegations of sexism after making a series of controversial remarks to a female journalist.

The former West Indies captain, who was criticised for asking female Australian reporter Mel McLaughlin out on a date during a live television interview earlier this year, was speaking to Charlotte Edwardes for an article published in the Times magazine on Saturday.

According to the article, Gayle said he has "a very, very big bat, the biggest in the wooooorld." He said to Edwardes: "You think you could lift it? You'd need two hands."

The article adds that Gayle asked Edwardes how many black men she has "had", and also asked if she had ever had a "t'eesome".

"I bet you have. Tell me," he is quoted as saying.

Gayle later says: "Women should have equality and they do have equality. They have more than equality. Women can do what they want. Jamaican women are very vocal. They will let you know what time it is, for sure."

However, he later adds: "Women should please their man. When he comes home, food is on the table. Serious. You ask your husband what he likes and then you make it."

Asked about homophobia, Gayle said: "The culture I grew up in, gays were negative. (But) people can do whatever they want. You can't tell someone how to live their life. It's a free world."

In January, Gayle was fined 10,000 Australian dollars following his interview with McLaughlin during a Big Bash League contest.

Asked about the incident by Edwardes, Gayle said: "It was a joke. She knew that. That's who I am, the joker."

The 36-year-old, currently in India playing for the Royal Challengers in the Indian Premier League, has signed a contract to play for Somerset in the Natwest T20 Blast this summer.

The journalist who carried out the interview, Charlotte Edwardes, told Press Association: "Others can decide whether his remarks were appropriate. If I'd been offended, I would have said so in The Times."

She added: "By the way, he made me laugh."