‘Nothing Wrong With Being Gay’: Joe Root Calls Out Shannon Gabriel For Using Abusive Language | WATCH VIDEO

English skipper Joe Root and Windies pacer Shannon Gabriel got caught up in a verbal duel on Day 3.

English skipper Joe Root and Windies pacer Shannon Gabriel got caught up in a verbal duel on Day 3. Root, who is usually is a calm and composed character lost his cool at St Lucia as he could be heard saying ‘Nothing Wrong With Being Gay’ to the pacer at the end of the over. Root also went on to stroke his 16th Test ton and it was a masterclass as he remained unbeaten at the end of the day’s play. The visitors are in a commanding position in the Test, thanks to Root’s innings. England lead by 448 runs and are well and truly in the driver’s seat.

The altercation with Gabriel happened throughout the day and it seems the English captain has allowed the bat to do the talking and by remaining unbeaten on 111 has won the battle.

@WardyShorts @nassercricket @BumbleCricket did you not pick up Gabriel root exchange just now, rooty asking him not to use gay as an insult ?

— Alan Conduct (@misterc88) February 11, 2019

“Sometimes people say things on the field that they might regret, but they should stay on the field,” Root said.

“It’s Test cricket and he’s an emotional guy trying to do everything he can to win a Test match. He’s a good guy who plays hard cricket and is proud to be in the position he is. The battle was a good contest, he’s had a wonderful series and he should be proud.”

The English skipper’s response was vividly picked up by the stump microphone while Gabriel’s comments were not heard. However, Root refused to elaborate on what happened.

It is believed that the match officials did not hear anything that would fall under the ICC’s anti-racism code that also covers homophobic comments.

Root acknowledged that Gabriel could have said something he “might regret” during their exchanges.