Chris Gayle: Somerset sign West Indies batsman for T20

Somerset have re-signed West Indies batsman Chris Gayle for six matches in this summer's T20 Blast competition.

Earlier this month, the 36-year-old was fined £4,900 after asking a TV reporter for a date in a live interview while playing for Melbourne Renegades in Australia's Big Bash League.

He later apologised but said the reaction was "out of proportion".

Gayle, whose first game is on 1 June against Sussex, scored 328 runs in three appearances for Somerset in 2015.

The final match of his six-game stint will be against Hampshire on 19 June.

Gayle said: "I really enjoyed my time at Somerset last year. It's a great club and the supporters were absolutely incredible.

"I'm looking forward to seeing the fans again and to scoring some more runs. Hopefully I can help the club make it through to the later stages."

Somerset's director of cricket Matt Maynard previously described Gayle as "box office" and suggested Somerset sold out their seven T20 Blast games last year "essentially on the back of him signing".

Matt Maynard did not even Blush !

[quote author=cricketmaven link=topic=102355.msg675763#msg675763 date=1453915114]
Somerset's director of cricket Matt Maynard previously described Gayle as "box office"
sold out their seven T20 Blast games last year "essentially on the back of him signing".
[/quote]

Lets hope Gayle don't pull a Stanford!!

Chris Gayle is certainly a big name in cricket, and it wouldn't surprise me if it was true, and the fans came to see him alone.

His 'interesting' time he's had recently, lets call it that, as only made him a bigger box office name aswell in my opinion.

I see that Dwayne Bravo will also be playing in this years NatWest T20 Blast as he has agreed to play for Surrey.

Hampshire are still in need of an overseas player for the tournament after talks with Shane Watson fell through, I wonder if they will consider Kieron Pollard. I know there was also some talk during the South Africa/England series of Kagiso Rabada playing county cricket, he would be another excellent potential signing for Hampshire.

Gayle will light up england