England’s pace spearhead James Anderson and Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja were on Friday found not guilty of breaching ICC Code of Conduct after a marathon six-hour hearing, putting an end to the suspense over their participation for the remaining part of the Test series.
The hearing, conducted by Judicial Commissioner Gordon lewis took place via video-conference, and verdict came as a huge relief for Anderson, who faced the prospect of a two-Test ban if he had been found guilty of a level 3 offence. Anderson was accused of pushing and abusing Jadeja during the second day of the first Test at Trent Bridge on July 10. England had also pressed for a level 2 charge against Jadeja as a counter move.
“His Honor Gordon lewis AM, the Judicial Commissioner, has found both England’s James Anderson and Ravindra Jadeja of India not guilty of breaching the ICC Code of Conduct,” ICC said in a statement.
“The Judicial Commissioner reached his decisions following a six-hour hearing, which took place via video-conference. Witnesses, including some Indian and English players, provided evidence and were cross-examined by the respective legal counsels,” the statement added.
The ECB and Anderson were represented in the hearings by Nick De Marco while Adam lewis QC represented Jadeja. The hearings were also attended by the two team managers, the ECB’s Paul Downton, the BCCI’s Sundar Raman and MV Sridhar, the ICC’s General Manager (Cricket), Geoff Allardice, and the ICC’s Ethics and Regulatory lawyer, Sally Clark.
After a dramatic series-levelling defeat for India in the third Test, the action shifted to the Grand Harbour hotel in the city. The Indian team was lodged here for the duration of the stay in this city and thus it served well as the venue for the hearing.
Anderson arrived at the hotel almost an hour ahead of the scheduled 9am start of the hearing.
Gordon lewis held the hearing from Melbourne via Skype as both sides presented their cases with their legal teams in tow.
The Indian team was scheduled to leave for Manchester this morning, where the fourth Test will be played from August 7. Most of the 18-member squad and support staff did leave, with exception of skipper MS Dhoni, coach Duncan Fletcher, Jadeja himself and Gautam Gambhir, who were witnesses in the alleged incident.
Dhoni and Jadeja were batting for India when they had returned to the pavilion during the lunch break when the latter was pushed on the way to the dressing room inside the pavilion. Ashwin and Gambhir were said to be present at the boundary line.
England too presented their witnesses, namely wicket-keeper Matt Prior and all-rounder Stuart Broad. It is understood that the Indian management had brought forth key video evidence in this matter, which was previously not available since the CCTV installed in the pavilion wasn’t yet in working condition for the second Test.