'I extend an unreserved apology' – Shannon Gabriel regrets comments to Joe Root

Gabriel, the senior fast bowler, was involved in an exchange of words with England captain Joe Root during the third and final Test between the two teams in St Lucia.

While Gabriel's comments were no heard on air, Root was heard as saying "Don't use that as an insult, there is nothing wrong with being gay". Root's comments suggested that Gabriel may have said something inappropriate.

In a hearing, the International Cricket Council found Gabriel to have breached article 2.13 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “personal abuse of a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire or Match Referee during an international match”.

He was handed three demerit points for the incident, taking his tally to eight in the 24-month cycle, resulting in a four-match ban. In addition, he also copped a fine of 75 per cent of his match fee.

Gabriel, who accepted the sanction without appeal, has now revealed his side of the story in a public apology, and vowed to learn from the episode.

“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?’

Gabriel said that he now feels deeply sorry about his comments. “To my teammates and members of the England team, especially their captain Joe Root, I extend an unreserved apology for a comment which in the context of on-the-field rivalry, I assumed was inoffensive picong and sporting banter. I know now that it was offensive and for that I am deeply sorry.”

“Joe Root and I have since spoken and I am comforted by the fact that there are no hard feelings between us.”