16 July,2014 09:22 AM IST | | Amit Shah
Controversy has enveloped both camps less than 48 before the curtains open for Thursday's second India vs England Test at the Lord's Cricket Ground here in London
James Anderson and Ravindra Jadeja
London: Controversy has enveloped both camps less than 48 before the curtains open for Thursday's second India vs England Test at the Lord's Cricket Ground here in London.
James Anderson and Ravindra Jadeja
The England and Wales Cricket Board yesterday issued a media release saying that it was surprised that a complaint by the Indian team has been filed to the International Cricket Council against their player - fast bowler James Anderson - "for a minor incident" involving Ravindra Jadeja during the first Test at Trent Bridge.
The ECB added that it has notified the ICC of its intention to lodge code of conduct breaches against Jadeja.
"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," added the ECB, who stressed that they would make no further comment on the issue.
Former Australia opening batsman David Boon was the match referee at Trent Bridge. Meanwhile, the ICC stated: "Anderson has been charged for allegedly abusing and pushing Ravindra Jadeja immediately after they left the field for lunch on Thursday.
It is alleged that this was a continuation of a verbal altercation between Anderson and Jadeja as they were walking from the field."
Witnesses ready
Sources in the Indian camp said that they had two witnesses ready and have taken a very serious view of the incident that extended even when the India players returned to the field after the luncheon interval.
It is learnt that a few senior members of the squad were adamant that this matter be taken up with the ICC. According to the ICC, players guilty of a Level Three offence can be banned for between two to three Tests or four to eight one-day internationals.
A Level Three breach entails "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."
