Shannon Gabriel faces two-match ban for allegedly calling Joe Root ‘b**** boy’

Shannon Gabriel faces the prospect of a two-match ban after allegedly using the phrase ‘batty boy’ during his on-field spat with Joe Root in the third Test.

Sportsmail understands that is the term that drew England captain Root’s measured response of ‘don’t use that as an insult, there’s nothing wrong with being gay,’ shortly after lunch on day three of the final Test in St Lucia.

A West Indies source countered that their fast bowler muttered ‘little boy’ during the exchange in the 44th over of the second innings. 

Shannon Gabriel (left) was warned by the umpires for using foul and abusive language

West Indies fast bowler Gabriel was involved in a verbal exchange with Joe Root

Sky Sports footage of the incident showed Root telling Gabriel: ‘Don’t use that as an insult’

Root (right) responded quickly to the abuse, shutting Gabriel down with his reply

The International Cricket Council charged the 30-year-old on Tuesday night with a breach of their code of conduct for alleged homophobic abuse.

‘Shannon Gabriel has been charged with a breach of article 2.13 of the ICC code of conduct,’ read a statement from the world governing body.

‘The charge, which was laid by the match umpires, will now be dealt with by match referee Jeff Crowe. Until the proceedings have concluded, the ICC will not comment further.’

Under the code’s regulations, on-field officials Rod Tucker and Kumar Dharmasena had until 24 hours after the flashpoint took place to take action. 

They initially reported to Crowe at the close of play on Monday that they had dealt with the issue to an acceptable level via a warning for the use of abusive language but reneged on this decision on Monday. 

Gabriel took the wicket of Root early on day four to prompt an England declaration 

It is understood match officials said no homophobic language had been caught by stump mics

Gabriel was met by a chorus of YMCA from the Barmy Army when he came out to bat

Root and Gabriel shook hands after England confirmed their victory at the end of day four

Gabriel already has three demerit points to his name and with the charge carrying between four and seven points, he would miss the equivalent of two Tests or four one-day or Twenty20 internationals if found guilty. 

Each set of four demerit points is the equivalent to one Test or two ODIs.

One of the problems prior to the charge being laid was that although Root’s words were captured on the stump microphones, those of Gabriel were not. 

Windies insiders have also pointed to the fact that the 30-year-old Gabriel’s words are indistinguishable at the best of times due to his tendency to mumble. 

Root refused to confirm what was said by Gabriel at the end of play on day three

Root’s response has been praised by the director of sport for the charity Stonewall 

Following England’s 232-run win, Root said: ‘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. 

‘West Indies have played some fantastic cricket, they are a good bunch of guys and it would be a shame if it tarnishes what 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. I just did what I thought was right.’ 

An ECB spokesman said they would not respond to the development until a verdict had been reached.

Former footballer and pundit Ian Wright led the tributes to Root in the wake of the incident

Ex-England cricket captain Nasser Hussain was also quick to lay credit with Root 

Article 2.13 of the ICC’s code ‘is intended to cover a Player or Player Support Personnel directing language of a personal, insulting, obscene and/or offensive nature at any Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire or Match Referee during an International Match. 

‘It is also intended to cover language of a personal, insulting, obscene and/or offensive nature relating to a family member of the Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire or Match Referee at whom it is directed.’

The ICC have a separate anti-racism code that last week resulted in Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed being suspended for four matches for comments made to South Africa’s Andile Phehlukwayo.