West Indies skipper Chris Gayle said he has forgiven Shane Watson for his wild celebration in the Perth Test even though the Australian all-rounder has no remorse for the behaviour which cost him 15 per cent of his match fee.
Watson was cock-a-hoop after getting Gayle in the second innings of the acrimonious Perth Test and the strapping all-rounder broke into a wild, prolonged celebration that miffed, among others, Match Referee Chris Broad, who fined the all-rounder 15 per cent match fee.
Writing in 'The Daily Telegraph' -- the article was titled "Shane, I will forgive you" -- Gayle said he held no grudge against the Aussie all-rounder.
"There is no doubt he over-reacted but I am prepared to move on and let bygones be bygones," wrote Gayle.
The flamboyant West Indian said the Australians kept commenting on the field but he was proud the way his teammates fought against all odds.
"There was certainly a lot of talk and a lot of niggle from Australian players in Perth. They played us really hard. It is never going to be easy taking on the Australians, but I was proud of the way we stood up to be counted," Gayle said.
On Watson's behaviour, Gayle sad, "Shane Watson is an interesting individual but, on reflection, I am prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt for the send-off he gave me in Perth."
Incidentally, Watson himself was far from being penitent for his behaviour.
The in-form all-rounder insisted Gayle provoked him in Perth.
"The thing I want to get across is knowing that there is two sides to the story," Watson said.
"Unfortunately I've gone over the top with this one but there was a reason for it. Chris was challenging me, saying he was looking forward to me coming on.
"He was winding me up, claiming that he likes my bowling and wants to take me down. It was such an emotional celebration because I got him out with my first ball after getting challenged," Watson said.
"Unfortunately, the celebration was raw emotion because of what had developed before," he added.
Gayle forgives, Watson unrepentant
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