Shannon Gabriel pulled up by ICC for alleged homophobic remark

Stump microphones picked up an interaction on the third day in St Lucia between Gabriel and Root, in which the latter responded: "Don't use it as an insult. There's nothing wrong with being gay."

West Indies fast bowler Shannon Gabriel was charged with an ICC Code of Conduct breach after allegedly making a homophobic remark in banter with England captain Joe Root during third day’s play of the third and final Test at St Lucia.

The on-field umpires did speak Gabriel after the altercation but there was no initial action taken. However, the widespread media attention prompted the ICC to re-look into the incident.  

In a tweet, the ICC confirmed that Gabriel had been charged with a breach of Article 2.13 of the Code of Conduct: "The charge, which was laid by match umpires, will now be dealt with by Match Referee Jeff Crowe. Until the proceedings have concluded, the ICC will not comment further."

Article 2.13 applies to use of "language of a personal, insulting, obscene and/or offensive nature", with a range of charges covering different levels of seriousness.

The incident occurred when Root and Joe Denly were batting on Day 3. There was no direct proof of what Gabriel said to the English pair but England captain Root was heard saying, "Don't use it as an insult. There's nothing wrong with being gay,”  on the stump microphone.

Root, who scored a match-winning century in the second innings refused to go into detail about the incident and he in fact, hadn’t even complained to the umpires.

"I just did what I thought was right. You have a responsibility to go about things in a certain manner on the field and it felt appropriate to act how I did." The ICC have got to handle things and I am not in a position to comment but throughout the series, it has been played in the right manner between the two sides," Root said."West Indies have played some fantastic cricket, they are a good bunch of guys and it would be a shame if it tarnishes it. It has been a good hard-fought series. As a player, you feel you have responsibilities to uphold on the field and I stand by what I did.

Richard Pybus, West Indies' interim coach, said he was not aware of the comments but suggested that, if they were deemed "untoward", it would be addressed.

"Nothing has been reported to me," he said. "But if a comment was made, we'll review it. And, if it was untoward, we'll be addressing it."

Root was widely appreciated by former England cricketers and media for standing up for something which had very little to do with cricket.