No ICC appeal over Anderson-Jadeja verdict

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Wednesday it would not appeal against the decision to clear England’s James Anderson over claims he pushed and abused India’s Ravindra Jadeja.

Judiciary 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 it would review Lewis’s decision, but it had 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 July 10, with England reacting by countercharging allrounder 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 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guilty of a level-three offence of “abusing and pushing” Jadeja, who had a fine for a less serious level-one offence rescinded.

“It was a complicated and sensitive matter relating to charges brought against two players at different levels of the ICC Code of Conduct,” Richardson added.

“There appears to have been vastly conflicting evidence on both sides, with a total of 13 witnesses who gave testimony.

“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.

“The disciplinary procedures were robust and transparent and all parties had ample opportunity to ask questions, test the evidence and make submissions. We have determined that there is no merit in an appeal and that it would not be in the best interest of the sport to take such action.”

Richardson also said the ICC would follow a recommendation by Lewis to review its disciplinary procedures.

Anderson could have been banned for up to four Tests if he had been found guilty.

But the ICC’s decision not to appeal against Lewis’ findings means he is free to concentrate on the fourth Test from Thursday at Old Trafford.

The five-match series is tied at 1-1.

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