NEW DELHI: The ICC has decided against appealing the not guilty verdict handed to James Anderson in the pushing case involving Ravindra Jadeja at Trent Bridge. It has also stressed that there is “no place in the game” for personal insults among players. The Level 3 offence Anderson was charged with was heard on August 1 by judicial commissioner Gordon Lewis, who let him off citing a lack of video evidence and impartial testimony. The BCCI had requested the governing body to lodge an appeal, as only the chief executive David Richardson or the player concerned (had the verdict gone against him) can stake the claim. However, the ICC believes the dispute has been investigated thoroughly and an appeal would serve no purpose.
“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,” Richardson said. “The disciplinary procedures 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.
“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.”
On the use of offensive language, Richardson said: “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.”