Windies bowler Gabriel slapped with ban for alleged homophobic comment

GROS ISLET, St Lucia, (CMC):

West Indies speedster Shannon Gabriel has been banned for four One-Day Internationals by cricket’s world governing body, the ICC, for player abuse.

A statement Wednesday said Gabriel had accepted the charge laid by on-field umpires and the proposed sanction.

The ban covers the first four ODIs of the upcoming five-match series against England starting later this month.

Gabriel is alleged to have made homophobic comments to England captain Joe Root during the West Indies' defeat to England in the Third Test.

Television footage shared on social media showed Root appearing to respond to a comment from Gabriel by saying: "Don't use it as an insult. There is nothing wrong with being gay."

The England skipper was, however, quick to play down the exchange.

"It's Test cricket and (Gabriel) is an emotional guy trying to do everything he can to win a Test match. Sometimes people say things on the field that they might regret, but they should stay on the field," said Root. "I think it should stay on the field. I don't want anything said in the middle to ruin what's been a good Test series for him and his team," Root added.

Gabriel has not featured in a ODI since December 2017.