Mumbai: The International Cricket Council's (ICC) chief executive Dave Richardson said here on Monday that West Indian batsman Chris Gayle's controversial post-match comments in the Big Bash League (BBL) could have been avoided, adding the game will hardly be affected by the controversy.

Gayle was fined 10,000 Australian dollars ($7,190) for asking a female TV presenter Mel McLaughlin out on live television after a BBL match.