LONDON - The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Wednesday that it will not appeal against the decision to clear England's James Anderson over claims he pushed and abused India's Ravindra Jadeja. Judicial commissioner Gordon Lewis last week cleared Anderson of breaching the ICC's code of conduct after he clashed with Jadeja during the drawn first Test at Trent Bridge.
Following a complaint from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the ICC said on Tuesday that it would review Lewis's decision, but it has decided to accept his findings. "This outcome is the result of two exhaustive and thorough disciplinary processes and, after considering the written decision, the ICC is satisfied with the manner in which the decisions have been reached," said ICC chief executive Dave Richardson in a statement.
India charged seamer Anderson over an incident that occurred on the second day of the first Test on July 10, with England reacting by counter-charging all-rounder Jadeja. Anderson and Jadeja, who was batting at the time, were seen to exchange words as the players left the field at lunch and India alleged that this had escalated into a physical confrontation inside the pavilion.
But Lewis, a retired Australian judge, found Anderson not guilty of a Level Three offence of "abusing and pushing" Jadeja, who had a fine for a less serious Level One offence rescinded. "There appears to have been vastly conflicting evidence on both sides," said former South Africa wicketkeeper Richardson. "After carefully considering the decision by Gordon Lewis, whose vast experience was invaluable to the process over recent weeks, we believe that no further purpose would be served by prolonging the process through further appeal proceedings."
Anderson could have been banned for up to four Test matches if he had been found guilty. But the ICC's decision not to appeal against Lewis's findings means that he is now free to concentrate on the fourth Test at his home ground of Old Trafford in Manchester, which begins on Thursday, with the five-match series currently tied at 1-1. England captain Alastair Cook welcomed the ICC's decision by telling reporters at Old Trafford on Wednesday: "Obviously it's been a really good couple of days off the field for us in terms of making sure Jimmy is available to play and the whole incident is behind us and we can concentrate on playing cricket."
Cook added he did not feel there would be any lingering ill-feeling between the teams as a result of the ICC's decision not to contest Lewis's verdict.
"I don't think so. I think the way both sides have played this series has been fantastic, apart from that one incident which has been blown up. Both sides have been very competitive and played it in the right way and in the right spirit." Anderson's return of seven for 77 saw him named man of the match in England's 266-run victory in the third Test at Southampton, a result that ended a run of 10 successive Tests without a win for Cook's side.
Now the Lancashire paceman is just 12 wickets shy of equalling Ian Botham's England record of 383 Test wickets. Asked about Anderson's reaction to the ICC's announcement, Cook said: "He's a little bit less grumpy, which is always nice for Jimmy. "But actually in those last couple of Test matches, with this hanging over him, he's bowled really well. I don't think it's really affected his performance on the field at all. It's great that this is now behind him. He gets to play in a home Test match. I think that's what the biggest concern was -- that he wouldn't get to play at Old Trafford."