Gayle wins defamation case against Fairfax

West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle is happy to have won a defamation case against Fairfax Media which claimed he'd exposed himself to a female massage therapist.

West Indies cricket player Chris Gayle smiling

West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle has won his defamation case against Fairfax Media. (AAP)

Jubilant West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle has likened his defamation win against Fairfax Media to a "triple century".

"No, no, no," he said repeating the Sydney jury's decision on three questions related to whether he exposed himself to, and indecently propositioned, masseuse Leanne Russell.

After less than two hours of deliberations, the NSW Supreme Court jury also found Fairfax was motivated by malice when it published articles saying Gayle exposed himself in the team dressing room during a Sydney training session at the 2015 World Cup.

"I came this far, all the way from Jamaica, to actually defend myself, my name and my character as well," Gayle said after the verdicts on Monday.

"At the end of the day, I am very, very happy."

But Fairfax lawyer Peter Bartlett said he was "shocked and disappointed", while the organisation later said it was considering an appeal and did not believe it got a fair trial.

Gayle testified that he was devastated by the false, humiliating and heartbreaking claims.

They were published in 2016 after he was criticised for inviting reporter Mel McLaughlin to have a drink after a Big Bash game and telling her "Don't blush baby" during a live TV interview.

His teammate Dwayne Smith, who admitted texting the word "sexy" to Ms Russell during a massage, also told the jury the exposure did not happen.

But Ms Russell testified to crying uncontrollably after Gayle pulled his towel down and out while saying "are you looking for this?".

"I saw the top half of Chris's penis, I apologise, and I thereafter shielded my view," she said.

"I was upset because of what Chris had done because we had known each other for 10 years and jokes of that nature meant nothing to him but they upset me greatly."

The jury was shown a February 2015 email sent by team manager Sir Richie Richardson to players referring to Ms Russell being put in a "few uncomfortable situations" and reminding them to treat her with respect.

Gayle's friend, UK-cased cricket coach Donovan Miller, testified that since the stories were published the cricketer had became "very reserved and scared", especially around females.

Matt Collins QC, acting for Fairfax, said Ms Russell bravely bared her soul to give raw and honest evidence about Gayle, not only describing the incident but revealing she suffered from anorexia.

But Gayle's barrister, Bruce McClintock SC, said Ms Russell was so troubled by "the psychiatric" condition and so "mentally fragile" that she said she told Gayle she was looking for a towel rather than a sandwich.

"The significance of this is the whole thing starts with a lie told by Ms Russell," he said.

While she was neurotic, bitter and vengeful, his client had given "moving and true" evidence, he said.

Justice Lucy McCallum on Tuesday will hear submissions on the amount of damages Gayle should receive.

Speaking outside court, Gayle said he had not been worried about the money but about the attack on his character.

"I am a good man," he said.

Asked if he had any regrets about the McLaughlin interview, he said: "I will find her one day and talk to her."


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Source: AAP



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