The incident involving Windies fast bowler Shannon Gabriel and England captain Joe Root over alleged comments about the gay community made by the former has been reduced to a storm in a teacup by a noted British journalist.
Towards the end of play on the third day of the third and final Wisden Test at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground in St Lucia, Root was picked up by the stump mic saying to Gabriel: "Don't feel insulted but there is nothing wrong with being gay."
This has provoked great support for the Yorkshireman back home with a number of gay groups in Britain saying that he is a great role model for his response and support to the gay community. Journalist David Brookes has countered that Root was wrong to use the press conference to comment on the matter, as it is utter foolishness.
"Root didn't take a stand with the gay community, what he did was get involved in on-field banter." At the press, conference Root said: "Sometimes people say things on the field that they might regret, but they should stay on the field.
"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."
Brookes said no one has evidence as to what Gabriel said to provoke a reaction from Root and it should be left in the dressing room and not the courtroom.
"This is a matter that has been blown out of proportion. It should be left in the dressing room and not the courtroom. I think the press has decided that they will go after Gabriel because he might care less about political correctness than his teammates. This is not right to drag the big man down in this way. He should be left alone and if the West Indies board sanctions him, I will be very disappointed.
"The lesson to be learned from all of this is that people in different countries conduct different conversations about the matter. Trinidad, where Gabriel has come from, has been proactive in making guys comfortable, so the rest of the Caribbean can take an example. Leave the big man alone."
Windies coach Richard Pybus says, "Nothing has been reported to me. But if a comment was made, we'll review it. And, if it was untoward, we'll be addressing it."
Article 2.13 of the ICC's code of conduct applies to use of "language of a personal, insulting, obscene and/or offensive nature", with a range of charges covering different levels of seriousness.
Late yesterday, the ICC said that Gabriel had been charged with a breach of its code of conduct. The governing body tweeted that "the charge, which was laid by match umpires, will now be dealt with by match referee Jeff Crowe."
British sports minister Mims Davies praised Root "for doing the absolute right thing to properly call this out."
Root married Carrie Cotterell in December.