SOUTHAMPTON: England’s James Anderson and India’s Ravindra Jadeja were both found not guilty of breaching the International Cricket Council (ICC) code of conduct, the global governing body announced on Friday.

Lancashire paceman Anderson, who had been at risk of being banned from the remainder of the England-India Test series, is now free to play in both the final two Tests.

Jadeja, meanwhile, had his previously imposed 50 per cent match fee fine of rescinded.

India charged Anderson and England counter-charged all-rounder Jadeja under the ICC code regarding an incident that took place during the lunch break on the second day of the drawn first Test at Trent Bridge on July 10.

Anderson and Jadeja, batting at the time, were seen exchanging words as the players left the field during the lunch break on the second day of the first Test.

It was then alleged that this had escalated into a more serious disagreement, beyond public view, when the players reached the privacy of the pavilion.

Friday’s hearing, presided over by Gordon Lewis, a retired Australian judge, saw Jadeja appealing against a Level One fine under the ICC code imposed by match referee David Boon, the former Australia batsman.

The more serious Level Three charges being brought by India against Anderson for allegedly “abusing and pushing” Jadeja were being heard for the first time.

“His Honor Gordon Lewis, the judicial commissioner, has found both England’s James Anderson and Ravindra Jadeja of India not guilty of breaching the ICC code of conduct,” an ICC statement issued after the hearing said.

England will be hugely relieved that Anderson, their series-leading wicket-taker, and named man-of-the-match for his seven for 77 at the Ageas Bowl in the team’s first Test match win for nearly a year, has been cleared to play in the final two Tests.

Lewis’s decision means Anderson could yet become England’s leading all-time Test wicket-taker before the end of the season.

He currently has 371 Test wickets, 12 shy of Ian Botham’s England record of 383.

The current five-match series is currently level at 1-1 after England won the third Test at Southampton by 266 runs on Thursday.

The fourth Test at Old Trafford, Anderson’s home ground, starts this coming Thursday.

The ICC statement added: “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.”

Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2014