Shannon Gabriel has extended an "unreserved apology" to Joe Root and the wider cricketing world for his sledge during the St Lucia Test, which has since led to a four-match suspension on him, also calling the episode an "opportunity for myself and all athletes to recognize the need for sensitivity and respect in their interactions with all".
Gabriel also decided to state his account of the conversation that took place between him and Root, of which only one line was picked up by the stump mic earlier. "I think I owe it to them (friends and well-wishers) and to all supporters of West Indies cricket to provide an accurate record of what happened," he wrote in the statement.
"The exchange occurred during a tense moment on the field. 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 recognize 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.'"

read more at ESPNcricinfo

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com

A nothingburger. One of the tamest sledges ever.

In reply to Cardiac

And yet the punishment is so draconian.

Donkey say the world no level.

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com

Does not warrant being banned...

Over reaction to say the least...

This angers me very much...

Suh Root like boys.

White Privilege?
Classism?
Racism?
Assism?

Absolute Rubbish.

sounds like Ole Massa system in place re WI and World Cricket's order.

To me this warrants a legal appeal or legal action or this nonsense would continue after all a man has been fined a huge chunk of his match fee and banned 4 ODIs.

Remember though, Gabriel had already accumulated a bunch of demerits for previous infractions. If he was at zero then his punishment in terms of game suspensions would likely have been less.

In reply to analyst-kid

Fork Jeff Crowe and the ICC! Root is a big skunt..

Why is it that so many posters here lack understanding? Gabriel DID NOT receive a 4 game suspension for the sledge of Root. Stop saying that and spreading alternative facts and fake news.

"Level 2 breaches carry a penalty of between 50 -100 per cent of a player’s match fee or 1 or 2 suspension points. A guilty finding will also see either three or four demerit points added to the player’s disciplinary record.

Gabriel already had five demerit points against his name for two earlier incidents - three demerit points during the Jamaica Test against Pakistan in April 2017 and two demerit points in the Chittagong Test against Bangladesh last November. With the addition of these three demerit points, he has reached the threshold of eight demerit points, which, pursuant to article 7.6 of the Code, have been converted into four suspension points.

Four suspension points equate to a ban from two Tests or four ODIs/T20Is, whatever comes first for the player."

In reply to Emir
Gabriel been done wrong but cant support your line of argument. We playing International game so certain standards must be set. I am against homophobia too but this was a set up by Root to force ICC hand to take action based on his interpretation of Gabriel's relatively softball comment.

In reply to bobby

I think you're going to have to make a macro to copy and paste this accurate assessment on a number of threads for the next week and a bit.

do you guys really think thst the Angel asked him if 'he likes boys"

In reply to tc1

Yes

Seriously? "Do you like boys?" Dat's it?

Nawh! So basically Gabriel asked Root if he's gay. Well if there's nothing wrong with being gay, den there should be nothing wrong with asking someone if they're gay. Right?

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com

there is no reason for the suspension--the remark was not cruel----the ICC is a DICTATOR

In reply to tc1

In reply to Tryangle

What will the Predicted Team of West Indies and We will have to see It in action in World Cup Live

In reply to anandgb

Yeah the post didn't age too well, heh.