24 Dec 2009

Gayle labels Watson soft and easy to wind up

1:03 pm on 24 December 2009

The war of words between Chris Gayle and Shane Watson has taken another turn, with the West Indies captain labelling the Australian all-rounder soft and easy to wind up.

Gayle delivered his latest blast with a smile after Watson explained his widely condemned celebrations at claiming Gayle's wicket in the third test in Perth, saying the batsman had been baiting him.

Watson was fined 15 percent of his match fee over the incident but Gayle says Watson is soft and easy to wind up over silly things.

Gayle's comments follow his post-match criticism of the Australian when he said he didn't expect anything better from him.

While Gayle was jocular when he made his latest comments, they're likely to anger the Australian camp in the wake of a fiery series.

Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson and Watson were all fined during Australia's 35-run win in Perth, while West Indies spinner Sulieman Benn was banned for two one-day internationals for his run-in with Johnson and Haddin.

Australian paceman Doug Bollinger received an official reprimand during the drawn Adelaide Test for kicking the pitch after an appeal was turned down.

Australia won the series 2-0.