Cricket need not worry about Chris Gayle incident'

Mumbai: The International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Dave Richardson is an optimist. Be it the issue of bad light in Test cricket or new rules in ODI, he ensured cricket remained unhurt. Few days after West Indian cricketer Chris Gayle invited trouble after a tasteless interview to a female television reporter in Australia, Richardson said that the incident should be left behind and one should move on.

“It could have been avoided. But I don't think cricket needs to worry about it. I think it can move on from here,” he said during an ICC event here on Monday.

Gayle asked Mel McLaughlin, a sports journalist, for a drink after the Big Bash League fixture in Hobart a week back. He was fined 10,000 Australian dollars after he used the following words: “Don’t blush, baby.”

Richardson, who is busy preparing papers for the forthcoming ICC World T20 and the Under-19 World Cup, said cricket has grown to a great extent with the advent of T20.

“Viewership has increased over the years. The quality of cricket has increased rapidly. Earlier, Australia and England were strong sides, now every nation is competent,” added Richardson, who kept wickets for South Africa from 1991-1998.

Talking about the emerging nations in the sport, he said: “Watch out for Oman. Even Afghanistan, Ireland and Hong Kong have done well in the recent past. T20 has globalised the sport.

The ICC, with the help of sponsors, have been on their toes before every tournament.

“We try to make our events an unforgettable experience for the spectators, fans, players and also the members of the media,” said Richardson, a veteran of 122 ODIs and 42 Tests.