Shannon Gabriel banned for four ODIs after comment to Joe Root

(FASTNEWS|COLOMBO) – West Indies fast bowler Shannon Gabriel has been banned for the first four one-day internationals against England.

Gabriel, 30, accepted an International Cricket Council charge over comments he made to England captain Joe Root during the third Test in St Lucia.

In reply, Root told Gabriel: “Don’t use it as an insult. There’s nothing wrong with being gay.”

It takes Gabriel’s total demerit points to eight in a two-year period, resulting in a four-match ODI ban.

West Indies host England in a five-match ODI series starting on 20 February in Barbados.

Gabriel was due to be rested for the start of the ODI series but was in line to be added to the squad following injuries to Rovman Powell and Keemo Paul.