West Indies cricket star Chris Gayle has denied Fairfax Media claims that he exposed his genitals to a massage therapist, telling a Sydney court that such conduct would deserve punishment.
The devastating and humiliating claims were "the most hurtful thing I've actually come across in my entire life", he told the four-person jury hearing his defamation case in the New South Wales Supreme Court.
To an extent, the allegations had ruined him, he said.
"This is one case I have to fight. I want to clear my name," he stated. "I have to defend myself because I strongly believe you stand for something or you fall for anything."
His barrister, Bruce McClintock SC, said Fairfax Media had set out to "destroy" the cricket great in a "vicious, savage and false attack" published in three of its newspapers from January 2016.
In his opening address, Mr McClintock said Gayle had taken defamation action against Fairfax "to prove to you and the whole world what the defendant said was false and was a lie".
Gayle is suing over articles which he says falsely claimed he intentionally exposed his genitals to a woman in the West Indies team dressing room during a Sydney training session at the 2015 World Cup.
The 38-year-old Jamaican also says he was falsely accused of indecently exposing himself to her and of indecently propositioning her.
His barrister described the cricketer as a "rare talent" who had given enjoyment to millions of people. Mr McClintock said Fairfax either knew the claims were false or they were reckless about publishing them.
Fairfax has admitted the articles convey defamatory meanings but relies on the defences of truth and qualified privilege.
The first article - headlined 'Gayle exposed himself to me, claims woman' - said Gayle pulled down a towel to partially expose his genitals to her while saying: "Are you looking for this?"
The article also said Gayle was in the room with one other player.
Mr McClintock said teammate Dwayne Smith, who will testify that the events did not happen, was not contacted by Fairfax and described this failure as a "disgraceful breach of the duties of what journalists should do".
Gayle told the jury he loved massages, adding that he was not the most flexible person in the world.
Leanne Russell, the massage therapist referred to in the stories, had massaged him before but he said he did not find her services satisfactory.
"She wasn't a good masseuse," Gayle claimed. "She wasn't good for me, I should say."
Mr McClintock referred him to a February 2015 email sent to the West Indian cricketers referring to Ms Russell being put in a "few uncomfortable situations".
Gayle said he did not believe this was about anything related to him.
The hearing, which is expected to last two weeks, is continuing.
Share
