Nottingham/UK, Jul 16:On Tuesday, the International Cricket Council (ICC) charged England fast bowler James Anderson after India alleged and complained that he "abused and pushed" allrounder Ravindra Jadeja on day two of the drawn first Test in Nottingham. But the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has decided to contest the allegations.
The ICC has charged Anderson under Level 3 of its code of conduct, which could result in a ban of up to four Test matches; however, any disciplinary hearing is unlikely to happen before the third Test, allowing Anderson to play the next two matches in the ongoing five-Test series against India.
Anderson, on his part, has denied India's allegations, and the ECB has thrown its weight behind the bowler by issuing a statement that says Anderson "categorically denies the accusations against him". Also the board is mulling over lodging a counter charge on Jadeja.
The ECB also described the incident as "minor" and that a disciplinary hearing could be held before a judicial commissioner "as soon as reasonably practicable".
"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," the ECB statement read.
"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."
India team manager Sunil Dev, who made the allegations on behalf of the team, said that the complaint was made after the team expressed its displeasure over the incident. "Mahi [Dhoni] and everyone complained that he [Anderson] physically touched him (Jadeja) and pushed him," ESPNCricinfo quoted Dev. "It was all over the dressing room. It is serious matter only because you can't push anybody. So I put in a complaint with the match referee."
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