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The Indian cricket team in England have lodged a complaint against James Anderson for allegedly pushing and abusing Ravindra Jadeja during the first Test in the ongoing series between England and India. The incident is said to have occurred while the players were heading off for lunch on day 2 at Trent Bridge.
The 31-year-old fast bowler has been charged under Level 3 of the ICC Code of Conduct.
The ICC is set appoint a Judicial Commissioner, who will preside over the matter and come to a decision as soon as possible.
Speaking on the charges, the ICC said: "Level 3 charges are referred to a Judicial Commissioner for adjudication. As such, where required under Article 5.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, the ICC will appoint a Judicial Commissioner who will hold a hearing as soon as reasonably practicable. These details will be announced in due course.”
Anderson has been charged under Article 2.3.3 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which states:
“Where the facts of the alleged incident are not adequately or clearly covered by any of the above offences, conduct that either: (a) is contrary to the spirit of the game; or (b) brings the game into disrepute.”
The penalty for a Level 3 offence is between 4 and 8 supspension points. 2 suspension points mean ban from one Test, or 2 ODIs, depending on the player’s upcoming schedule. Under the ICC code, the hearing will take place within the next 14 days and players from both teams could be called for giving evidence.
The English and Wales Board (ECB) were taken aback by the charges levelled at their premier pace bowler. They informed the media that they would be lodging a complaint against Jadeja over the same episode.
Anderson scored a match-saving 81 runs, his highest Test score and first half-century, in a world-record 10th wicket partnership with Joe Root. On a flat track, he took 4 crucial wickets, employing reverse swing with mastery, and was named the Man of the Match.
The incident
On the 2nd day of the 1st Test at Trent Bridge, James Anderson appealed for a caught behind against Jadeja in the last over before lunch. When umpire correctly adjudged him not out, Anderson stared at the Indian all-rounder and mouthed a few words to Indian skipper MS Dhoni, who was at the other end, on his way back.
At the stroke of lunch, as players walked back, Anderson didn’t shy away from giving Dhoni and Jadeja a piece of his mind, and kept at it till the players reached the boundary. It now appears that the interaction became more than verbal when players entered the pavilion.
Instead of the umpires or players, the complain has been brought to ICC’s notice by Indian team manager Sunil Dev, who insists that a thorough discussion about the incident happened in the dressing room between players and coach Duncan Fletcher.
“Mahi [Dhoni] and everyone complained that he [Anderson] physically touched him [Jadeja] and pushed him. It was all over the dressing room,” he said. “It is serious matter only because you can't push anybody. So I put in a complaint with the match referee.”
Reactions
ECB have termed the move by Indian camp surprising, calling the whole issue a ‘minor incident’ in their press release. Putting their weight behind Anderson, ECB are also prepared to take the attack to Jadeja, and plan to lodge a complaint against the Indian all-rounder.
“The England and Wales Cricket Board has today reacted with surprise that the India team has made allegations against James Anderson under Level 3 of the ICC Code of Conduct for a minor incident involving Ravindra Jadeja during the first Investec Test match at Trent Bridge.
“In the light of this the ECB has notified the ICC of its intention to lodge code of conduct breaches against Jadeja.
“James Anderson categorically denies the accusations made against him and the ECB have pledged their total support for the player should he be charged by ICC.
“Under ICC Code of Conduct regulations the ECB cannot make any further comment and enquiries should be directed to the ICC in Dubai.”
England ex-skipper Michael Vaughan said on Twitter that these are simply tactics to get James Anderson banned from the series by India. He also questioned the timing of this complain.
Irrespective of what ICC’s decision is on the matter, the Judicial Commissioner is unlikely to finish the proceedings before 14 days, meaning Anderson and Jadeja are set to appear in the 2nd and 3rd Test of the series.
However, if the decision is not in favour of the England pace bowler, Anderson could miss the 4th Test at his home ground at Old Trafford. If England appeal against the decision, they could also delay the ban till the ODI series after the Tests.
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