Shannon Gabriel apologises for making homophobic sledge at Joe Root

He has been banned for four ODIs by the ICC

Shannon Gabriel has offered an "unreserved apology" to England captain Joe Root after making a homophobic sledge during the third Test between the West Indies and England in St Lucia. Stump mics picked up audio of Root telling Gabriel: "Don't use it as an insult, there's nothing wrong with being gay." The fast bowler accepted a charge from the International Cricket Council, who have banned him for four One Day Internationals against England, the first of which takes place next Wednesday. Gabriel has since issued a written statement, in which he admits to asking Root: "Why are you smiling at me, do you like boys?" "The exchange occurred during a tense moment on the field," Gabriel said in his statement. "The pressure was on and England’s captain Joe Root was looking at me intensely as I prepared to bowl, which may have been the usual psychological strategy with which all test cricketers are familiar. "I recognise now that I was attempting to break through my own tension when I said to Joe Root: 'Why are you smiling at me? Do you like boys?' "His response, which was picked up by the microphone, was: ’Don’t use it as an insult. There’s nothing wrong with being gay.’ I then responded: ’I have no issues with that, but you should stop smiling at me'." Gabriel has said he will see this as a chance to acknowledge the "need for sensitivity and respect in their interactions with all", reiterating that there are no hard feelings between himself and the England captain.