Blow for BCCI; ICC won't appeal Anderson-Jadeja decision

The International Cricket Council on Wednesday confirmed that it received and considered the written decision of His Honour Gordon Lewis AM in respect of his findings that England’s James Anderson and India’s Ravindra Jadeja were not guilty of breaching the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, following an extensive disciplinary hearing held in Southampton on Friday.

- All you want to know about Anderson-Jadeja altercation...

After assessing the content of the decision, the ICC said it is satisfied with the reasons provided and elected not to exercise its discretion to appeal against the decision relating to Anderson, pursuant to clause 8.3.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct.

"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," ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said.

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

Richardson said there was no merit in appealing against the decision and believes taking action against would not have been in the best interest of the sport.

"The disciplinary procedures," he said, "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. As a matter of best practice, the ICC will now review the procedures as set out in the Code and reflect upon the comments made by Gordon Lewis in his decision about how a case of this nature might better be provided for in the future."

Commenting generally, however, on the use of offensive language, Richardson added: “International cricket is tough, competitive and uncompromising but we must reiterate that there is no place in the game for the use of offensive language that is personally insulting of one player by another.
 
"It is imperative that all captains, players and coaches as well as umpires and referees are reminded of and do not shirk their responsibility to one another and to the game."

The alleged incident occurred during the lunch break of the second day's play in the first Test between England and India in Nottingham last month. The Indians alleged that Anderson pushed and abused Jadeja, while the English counter-charged the visiting all-rounder.

The Board Of Control For Cricket In India had expressed disappointment with the judicial commissioner's verdict clearing Anderson of a code of conduct breach.

"What we have done is we've written a letter to the ICC saying we are not happy with the verdict," BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel said on Tuesday.

Coverage: India's tour of England

Image: James Anderson (left) with England captain Alastair Cook

Photograph: Gareth Copley/Getty Images