Cricket world in uproar over presenter's 'Barbie' remark about Aussie Maitlan Brown

The BBC has reprimanded its presenter Chris Hughes after the former Love Island contestant was savaged over a 'cringe-worthy' interview with Aussie women's cricket star Maitlan Brown. The presenter was speaking with Brown during England's The Hundred tournament, when he referred to the Aussie player as a 'little Barbie' in an interview that was panned around the world.

Brown was part of the Southern Brave side that won by 27 runs against the Trent Rockets, in a double-header at Trent Bridge that also featured the men's sides. Fellow Aussie Daniel Sams starred with the ball at the death to help his Rockets seal a six-run win with one ball to spare.

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BBC presenter Hughes made the biggest headlines though during his questionable chat with Brave bowler Brown. The train wreck interview didn't exactly start well, with Hughes referring to the Aussie women's star as a 'batsman', rather than using the widely accepted gender-neutral term of 'batter'.

Things went from bad to worse for the former reality TV star though when Brown responded to a question about how she'd settled in with her new teammates before the tournament. “We got together a few days ago in Southampton,” responded Brown.

“It was really nice to get together as a group, we played a practice game. We also went and watched Barbie the other night all together. We’ve done a bit of team bonding and the group is gelling really well together and I think that’s the key to success, I think with tournaments like this is how well and how quickly can you gel as a group.”

Hughes responded: “You’re a little Barbie yourself innit, with your blue eyes”. Brown seemed a little taken aback as she let out an awkward laugh before Hughes channeled Chris Gayle's infamously cringe-worthy interview with Aussie sports presenter Mel McLaughlin in the Big Bash by adding: “She’s blushing now".

Chris Hughes under fire after interview

Brown has featured for the Australia A team and received call-ups to the full Australia squad before, and handled the incident with class. However, a spokesperson for the BBC confirmed the British broadcaster had reprimanded Hughes over the interview.

"We have spoken to Chris and explained that his comment was not appropriate," a BBC spokesperson said. It came after viewers took to social media in disgust over the interview, with some labelling the remark from Hughes as "disgraceful".

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