Chris Gayle apology accepted by Australian reporter Mel McLaughlin

The Australian cricket reporter who was propositioned by Chris Gayle during a live television interview has accepted the batsman's apology.

Mel McLaughlin has also welcomed the debate over sexism in sport that has been sparked by the incident.

Channel 10 reporter McLaughlin was speaking to Gayle during Melbourne Renegades' victory over Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League on Monday when he suggested they should go out at the end of the match.

Gayle's comments were branded "disrespectful and simply inappropriate" by head of the BBL Anthony Everard and there was a widespread backlash on social media.

The former West Indies captain subsequently offered a full apology to McLaughlin - insisting he meant no offence - and that has now been accepted by the reporter.

She said: "It was just unexpected. Of course you don't expect to get that sort of answer.

"I don't really want to be the subject of such conversations. I like just going about my business and doing my job but it's definitely a good thing that people are talking.

"We want equality, we always want equality, and in my career I've always felt nothing but respect.

"He did issue an apology and I accept that."      

Live Big Bash Cricket

Gayle was fined 10,000 Australian dollars (£4,900) by the Melbourne Renegades following his comments and there have been further repercussions with Australian media group Fairfax saying they will stop using him as a columnist and Channel 10 deciding he will no longer be fitted with a microphone for onfield comments.

Further allegations about Gayle's behaviour towards women have also emerged in Australia.

Fox Sports reporter Neroli Meadows has branded the Jamaican a "creep".

"He does this constantly," she told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. "He's a creep, he has creepy behaviour." She said Gayle came on to her during a 2011 interview saying, "Sorry, I was totally distracted by your pretty face, could you repeat the question?"

Nine News reporter Yvonne Sampson said Gayle had also asked her on a date after watching her carry out an interview.

"I had a notification via Twitter that Chris Gayle would like to take me out to dinner," she said. "I'd never met him. I think Chris Gayle is a known womaniser, and that's a really awful word, but that's what he is."