Shannon Gabriel, the West Indies fast bowler, has offered an unreserved apology to Joe Root and claimed the on-field comment to the England captain that triggered his four-match ban was: “Do you like boys?”

Gabriel will miss the first four one-day internationals against England that begin next week following an exchange of words with Root during the recent third Test in St Lucia that prompted the latter to say: “There’s nothing wrong with being gay”.

Only Root’s rebuke was picked up by the stump microphones during his side’s 232-run consolation victory. Gabriel opted not to challenge a disciplinary charge of “abusive language” that was laid by the umpires and thus had to accept a suspension due to accumulation of demerit points on his record.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Gabriel said: “To my teammates and members of the England team, especially their captain Joe Root, I extend an unreserved apology for a comment which, in the context of on-the-field rivalry, I assumed was inoffensive picong [teasing] and sporting banter. I know now that it was offensive and for that I am deeply sorry.

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Shannon Gabriel’s statement Photograph: Shannon Gabriel

“The exchange occurred during a tense moment on the field. The pressure was on and [Root] was looking at me intensely as I prepared to bowl, which may have been the usual psychological strategy with which all Test cricketers are familiar.

“I recognise now that I was attempting to break through my own tension when I said to Joe Root: ‘Why are you smiling? Do you like boys?’

“His response, which was picked up by the microphone was: ‘Don’t use it as an insult. There’s nothing wrong with being gay.’ “I then responded: ‘I have no issues with that, but you should stop smiling at me.’”

Gabriel said there was no lingering ill-feeling between he and Root – the two players and their teammates shared drinks after the series – and added that the incident was a lesson to himself and other athletes about the “need for sensitivity and respect in their interactions with all”. The issue has also prompted the latest debate about stump microphones, which Trevor Bayliss, England’s head coach, would like turned down.

Moeen Ali, who for the second successive away series was England’s leading wicket-taker with 14, disagrees however. In his recent autobiography, the spin-bowling all-rounder claimed he was called “Osama” during the 2015 Ashes but saw the unnamed Australian player go unpunished at the time due to a lack of concrete evidence.

“Put the stump mics up. Why put them down? So people can swear?” said Moeen, before England’s one-day players flew to Barbados. “Sledge [opponents] about their cricket. If you don’t think they are good, tell them. It doesn’t have to be swearing. Keep it funny. There’s brilliant ways to sledge, just don’t go personal. It’s time for people to behave themselves.”

Moeen’s form with the ball has been one of the few highlights on tour so far. Since returning to the side against India last summer the 31-year-old has 44 wickets at 23 runs apiece from eight Tests, moving him three victims past Tony Lock’s career haul of 174. Only Jim Laker (193), Graeme Swann (255) and Derek Underwood (297) sit above him on the pantheon of English spinners and it has not gone unnoticed.

“I feel like I belong,” said Moeen. “People might think I don’t, because they think I’m not a proper spinner. But when you go past some of the greats, for me, I think: ‘Maybe I am a good spinner. I must have done OK to get that many wickets.’

“I remember reaching 50 and thinking that was a massive achievement. Someone said ‘maybe 100?’ and I thought I had no chance. But to have [177] now, I’ve done better than I thought I ever would. There will always be good days and bad days but I’m improving. I think I can get into the side as a bowler now, even if I didn’t bat.”