India Complain Against James Anderson, England Fume as ICC Levels Charges
Team India has complained that James Anderson allegedly abused and pushed Ravindra Jadeja during the course of the first Test between England and India. The level three charge - if proven - carries suspensions from two to four Tests.
England paceman James Anderson has been the subject of an official complaint by India, it was announced on Tuesday -- just two days before the teams meet for the second Test at Lord's on Thursday. The International Cricket Council has taken note of the matter and charged him for a Code of Conduct's Level Three breach. (Bring on English conditions, says MS Dhoni)
It is alleged Anderson broke the ICC code of conduct during an incident involving India left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja during the drawn first Test at Nottingham's Trent Bridge last week. "Anderson has been charged for allegedly abusing and pushing Ravindra Jadeja immediately after they left the field for lunch on Thursday," read an ICC release. "It is alleged that this was a continuation of a verbal altercation between Anderson and Jadeja as they were walking from the field." (India unlikely to opt for five-pronged attack in 2nd Test)
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), in a brief statement, said it had "reacted with surprise" to Anderson being referred for a Level Three breach of the code in what it said was a "minor incident" and promised to cite Jadeja for breaches of the code were action to be taken against their spearhead seamer.
"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," the statement said.
The ECB added that under the Code it could not comment further and that any more inquires should be directed to the ICC at the global governing body's Dubai headquarters.
Offences under Level Three, deemed to be the second-most serious under the four section code, include "threat of assault on a player, team official, or spectator" and "using language or gestures that offends race, religion, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin".
Players found guilty of a Level Three offence can be banned for between two to three Tests or four to eight one-day internationals.