Chris Gayle believes Australians are racist and that is what drove the response to his controversial Big Bash League interview last summer. The high-profile Twenty20 cricketer will not, however, play cricket in Australia this summer with franchises making it clear they do not want his services and Cricket Australia reiterating its stance.
One franchise told The Australian that Gayle's behaviour during recent visits ruled him out of playing here again. 
The controversy surrounded a boundary line interview the West Indies cricketer did with presenter Mel McLaughlin where he invited her out and told her not to blush.
Cricket Australia insisted Gayle be fined by his franchise, although some believed he should have received a ban. There was, however, an outpouring of support from people who believed that the reaction was a politically correct overreach.
Gayle claims there was more to it and accused his critics of racism in an interview with Britain's Sunday Times.
"If that had been a white footballer saying that nothing would've happened. Rugby player, nothing would've happened. Hollywood actor? Tsk," he said "Successful black men are struggling because people do things to put them down. They would cover for other people, but not for a black man." Gayle said that Australia is more racist off the field than on it. "As a genuine statement, and I would say this anywhere in the world, in any sporting arena, right now in 2016: racism is still the case for a black man," he said. "Trust me. They just want to get a little sniff of the dirt. They find out some shit and they want to sink you. It's reality. You have to deal with that as a successful black man - especially if you had a poor man's lifestyle, coming from nothing to something." Gayle said another female Australian reporter's claims that "He's a big guy. It makes you feel intimidated" was a form of racism.
"And another of the presenters who said she wasn't happy with it, later she was interviewing a man and sitting in his lap," he claimed. "And she's married. She was flirting. They were playing Let's Get It On. She didn't get any trouble. Double standards, that's what it is." It is unclear what incident he is referring to.
Gayle also took aim at his former Sydney Thunder colleague Chris Rogers who had been critical of the West Indian.
"Then it was former Aussie opener Chris Rogers, acting more like Roger Rabbit, claiming I'd led young players astray when we'd played together at Sydney Thunder," Gayle wrote. "Chris Rogers, how can you claim that when it was you and me at the bar most nights? I'm not a snitch, but I've heard from your own mouth what you've done. Next time you want to open your mouth, maybe chew on a carrot instead." Cricket Australia chief executive officer James Sutherland said last month he could not stand in the way of a franchise attempting to hire Gayle this summer. The organisation said yesterday that while this was true it understood no franchise was interested in him.
Gayle's former team, the Melbourne Renegades, confirmed they would not be hiring him again. "We'll unveil our international signings soon and Chris isn't part of those plans," chief executive Stuart Coventry said.
Gayle was previously at the Thunder, but general manager Nick Cummins made it clear he would not be welcome back.
"He played in the first couple of years for us and we don't think he is the right fit for our club," Cummins said. "We expect all players regardless of who they are to be a positive contributor in all facets of their life."It's not about making a moral judgment on his character, but we are making a statement about what we represent and our women's team and if he wants to make those comments he can go for his life but it doesn't fit with our culture."