RIFT OF THE GAB IS OVER
Windies quickie not Root-ing for revenge
SHANNON GABRIEL says he is not looking to reignite the personal battle with England captain Joe Root which landed him in hot water in the Caribbean last year.
The fast bowler, 32, got into trouble for suggesting Root “liked boys” during an intense passage of play in the third Test in St Lucia.
And although he maintained he would not hold back against Root in the upcoming behind-closed-doors series, the Trinidadian quick said he considered the episode closed.
“It was in the past and I don’t really think about it too much now,” said Gabriel, from quarantined quarters in Old Trafford.
“I don’t really want to talk about it, I am just looking forward to doing my best for West Indies cricket.
“There are no hard feelings.
I’ve come to play cricket and whether it’s to Ben Stokes or whoever, I am going to do my best to try and get them out. “I am not targeting one player.” Gabriel was involved in a row with Root in February last year which led to a four-match One-day International ban and fine.
In an increasingly short-tempered and short-pitched spell, the bowler questioned whether the England skipper “liked boys” after his best efforts were met with repeated smiles.
Root’s response, which was overheard on the stump microphones, was: “Don’t use it as an insult. There is nothing wrong with being gay.”
Gabriel offered an unreserved apology and yet he claimed their history would not stop him returning to the verbals when the action starts at the Ageas Bowl next month.
“You can get away with a 1 (inset) bit of personal banter as long as it stays within the rules of the game and it’s not disrespectful,” he said.
West Indies, who won that series 2-1, continued preparations for the three-test series at Old Trafford yesterday, with Gabriel reporting the fast-bowling unit is in good nick.
“We are more experienced as a team of fast bowlers and we are really getting fitter and stronger,” he said.
England’s players meet on Tuesday 2 3 7 4 5 in Southampton and Matt Parkinson is relishing the chance to push his way into the selection picture.
As one of five spinners in the 30-man, behind-closed-doors training group, the Lancashire leggie knows he faces a battle.
But after taking four wickets on his last England action, in a warm-up on the postponed tour of Sri Lanka, he said: “I’ll be looking to train hard and pick up where I left off.” 6