Windies fast bowler Shannon Gabriel has been suspended for four ODIs after breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the third Test against England.
He was found guilty of breaching article 2.13 of the code, which concerns “personal abuse of a player”, following an altercation with England captain Joe Root.
While it has still not been made known what Gabriel said, Root’s response – “Don’t use it as an insult, there’s nothing wrong with being gay” – suggested Gabriel’s comments might have been homophobic in nature.
“Don’t use it as an insult. There’s nothing wrong with being gay.”
Joe Root responds to sledging from Windies bowler Shannon Gabriel.
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— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) February 12, 2019
The West Indies ace hasn’t played an ODI since December 2017, and hadn’t been selected in the squad for the first two ODIs against England, but, speaking prior to the Root incident, chairman of selectors Courtney Browne confirmed that he remained in their World Cup plans and that he would be considered for selection later in the series.
Gabriel took seven wickets across the first two Test matches against England, helping West Indies to a 2-1 series win.
