Windies physio encouraged masseuse to expose Gayle

UPDATED:

Trouble could be brewing within the West Indies set-up after it was revealed in the New South Wales state Supreme Cour that regional men’s team physiotherapist Christopher “CJ” Clark encouraged former Australian massage therapist Leanne Russell to expose Jamaican batting superstar Chris Gayle for allegedly exposing his penis to her in a hotel room during the 2015 World Cup.

Clark contacted Russell after Gayle made world news in January last year for his now infamous “Don’t Blush, Baby” interview in which he complimented Australian journalist Mel McLaughlin about her eyes and asked her out on a date on air during an Australian Big Bash game. Gayle was heavily criticised for his actions and fined $10,000 by Cricket Australia.

The physiotherapist allegedly texted Russell after the incident, advising her “maybe you should put in your two cents worth”, before following up with another message stating “serial offender”. Russell replied, “I should make a call to The Age (a Melbourne daily newspaper) today”.

When the story broke in Australian news, Clarke texted her again, “You little beauty! Well done!”

Gayle has categorically denied the incident ever occurred and is suing Fairfax Media for Australian $1 million in damages for defamation of character.

Johnny Grave, CEO of the Cricket West Indies (CWI), when contacted yesterday, was asked if he was aware of Clark’s alleged messages towards Russell and if it may affect his position as WI team physio.

The English-born Grave stayed clear of that matter, noting, “I certainly think there were accusations from the lawyers representing Chris Gayle but CJ Clark had (allegedly) encouraged Leanne to come forward.”

He continued, “I think (Clark’s action) it’s more supporting a colleague saying ‘I’m going to go to the newspaper on the accusation of Chris exposing himself to her’ and CJ, as a former colleague saying ‘if that’s what you say (you) have to do, then that’s what you have to do’.

“From what I understand, from people I’ve spoken to in Australia, there is a very clear exchange when Leanne is questioned by The Age about whether she was encouraged to do anything by CJ Clark, and she denied that.”

Concerning the future relationship between Gayle and Clark – particularly in the West Indies team’s dressing room – Grave said, “it’s not like they haven’t been in the dressing room since. They’ve known about this court case for many months.

“They (were involved) in the T20 against India and the (last) ODI series and T20 series (against England). I’m not aware of any operational issues. They would have both carried about their duties professionally, knowing what was going on in the background.”

Gayle “reserved and scared” in public around women

As evidence from both sides are brought to the fore, it has been revealed that the damning allegation has seriously affected Gayle’s disposition and he has become “very reserved and scared” in public around women.

Gayle gave evidence on Monday that the incident did not happen and “this is one case I have to fight”.

Gayle’s long-time friend, UK-based cricket coach Donovan Miller, gave character evidence for the cricketer yesterday.

He said that since Fairfax had published the articles Gayle had become “very reserved and scared” in public places such as bars, “especially (around) females”.

Mr Miller said Gayle “always feels like someone is out to get him”. “You can see that the incident has affected him a lot,” he said.

“You look in his eyes and you can see he’s really hurting about it.”

Mr Miller said he helped Gayle set up the Chris Gayle Foundation, which works with the charity Cricket for Change to help disadvantaged youth.

“I’m a big believer in helping young people,” Mr Miller said.

“We needed someone like Chris with a big reputation; a big figurehead.

“Everyone loves him. He spends a lot of time ... with the fans.”

Russell, the woman at the centre of the stories, gave evidence on Wednesday that she “cried uncontrollably” after the incident during the Cricket World Cup on February 11, 2015.

“I saw the top half of Chris’ penis, I apologise, and I thereafter shielded my view,” Russell told the court.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Trouble could be brewing within the West Indies set-up after it was revealed in the Australian court today that regional men's team physiotherapist Christopher "CJ" Clark encouraged former massage therapist Leanne Russell to report Jamaican batting superstar Chris Gayle for allegedly exposing his penis to her in a hotel room during the 2015 World Cup.

Clark contacted Russell after Gayle made world news in January last year for his now infamous "Don't Blush, Baby" interview in which he complimented Australian journalist Mel McLaughlin about her eyes and asked her out on a date on air during an Australian Big Bash game. Gayle was heavily criticised for his actions and fined $10,000 by Cricket Australia.

The physiotherapist allegedly texted Russell after the incident, advising her "maybe you should put in your two cents worth", before following up with another message stating "serial offender".

Russell replied, "I should make a call to The Age (a Melbourne daily newspaper) today".

When the story broke in Australian news, Clark texted her again, "You little beauty! Well done!"

Gayle has categorically denied the incident ever occurred and is suing Fairfax Media for defamation of character.

Stay with the Newsday for more details.