SOMERSET remain interested in re-signing Chris Gayle, regardless of the reaction to an interview he gave which led to him being disciplined for "inappropriate conduct".

The West Indies batsman, 36, has been widely condemned for using the interview to ask Channel 10 sports reporter Mel McLaughlin for a date, saying: "To see your eyes for the first time is nice. Hopefully we can have a drink afterwards. Don't blush baby."

He has since apologised, while saying the reaction was "out of proportion", been fined £4,900 by club Melbourne Renegades, and also been the subject of allegations reported by The Sydney Morning Herald regarding "indecent exposure".

Gayle, however, impressed at Taunton last season, and though he has been criticised by Australian Chris Rogers, who has signed to play for Somerset this coming summer, their chief executive Guy Lavender told Press Association Sport: "At present, we would be keen to re-sign him."

He also told The Times: "The comments are completely inappropriate.

"He has apologised and been punished for them, and once that process has taken place we all need to move on and take a reasonable perspective."

Gayle, incidentally, recorded 328 runs in three appearances for Somerset in 2015.

Credit: Press Association