England in West Indies: Shannon Gabriel warned for incident with Joe Root

West Indies fast bowler Shannon Gabriel was warned by the umpires for the language he used following an incident with England captain Joe Root.

Root scored 111 not out as England built a lead of 448 in the third Test.

Sky Sports published a clip, external of Root responding to a comment from Gabriel by saying: "Don't use it as an insult. There's nothing wrong with being gay."

The original comment by Gabriel was not picked up and Root refused to explain after play exactly what was said.

The incident could still appear in the end of match report and the International Cricket Council and West Indies cricket board could still take action.

"You're playing Test cricket, people will look at this game as a dead rubber but it certainly doesn't feel like that when you're playing for your country - everything counts, every opportunity counts," said Root after the close of day three.

"You can see that in the way he approaches the game and that's how I feel about it as well.

"Sometimes things are said on the field but they should stay on the field. I think they can sometimes be caught in the moment and not always say what you want to say or think you're saying.

"I think you should leave it there."

Kirsty Clarke, director of sport at LGBT charity Stonewall, said: "Language is really influential and it's great if Joe Root was willing to challenge potentially abusive comments.

"The more players, fans, clubs and organisations that stand up for equality in sport, the sooner we kick discrimination out and make sport everyone's game."

West Indies coach Richard Pybus said nothing had been reported but if anything untoward was said it will be reviewed and addressed.

"I think the fast bowlers are always going to try and impose themselves on the game," he added. "It's always a proper tussle out there. I think it is pretty standard.

"The series has been played in exceptional spirit, I wouldn't want to pre-empt anything.

"Shannon is a proper old-school fast bowler, I think we need to find out if there is anything behind the rumours and then we'll address it."

Heavy defeats saw England lose the first two Tests of the three-match series but Root's unbeaten 111 in St Lucia to see his side close on 325-4 for a commanding lead of 448.

The tourists batted throughout the third day with Joe Denly making 69 and Jos Buttler 56.

England are likely to declare on day four and attempt to bowl out West Indies to earn a consolation victory.

When West Indies do bat again they will either need to complete a record fourth-innings run-chase to win the match or bat out what remains of the final two days for a draw.