Anderson admitted swearing at Jadeja

Cricket365
August 3, 2014

James Anderson might have escaped censure over his spat with Ravindra Jadeja during the Trent Bridge Test, but according to a fresh media report, the England bowler admitted to abusing the Indian all-rounder during the match in Nottingham.

James Anderson might have escaped censure over his spat with Ravindra Jadeja during the Trent Bridge Test, but according to a media report, the England bowler admitted to abusing the Indian all-rounder during the match in Nottingham.

According to a report by ESPNCricinfo, Anderson threatened to 'break Jadeja's teeth' during the disagreement.

"He (Anderson) admitted to having continuously abused Jadeja, pushing him and acting in breach of the spirit of cricket. He also threatened to break Jadeja's teeth, the BCCI's counsel contended while appealing the sentence earlier handed to Jadeja by match referee David Boon," the report said.

"These were two different but overlapping cases. The BCCI counsel took part in the appeal against Jadeja's sentence, but the case involving Anderson was pursued by the ICC's lawyer, as is the protocol for Level 3 charges. The BCCI counsel didn't get a chance to cross-examine Anderson during that main case but did so during the Jadeja appeal.

"The cross-examination was intense and aggressive, say those present, and began with the BCCI counsel addressing Anderson using some of the swear words allegedly used by the player, catching him by surprise."

The ESPNCricinfo report added that the abuse Anderson was throwing Jadeja's way was continuous.

"The incident took place as the players were walking off for lunch on the second day of the Trent Bridge Test. Anderson had appealed for a catch at the wicket against Jadeja with the first ball of the over, after which he was seen having a word with Jadeja. Umpire Bruce Oxenford's witness statement said he intervened and asked Anderson to stop chirping. The chirping, though, continued," the report continued.

"Anderson didn't contest MS Dhoni's statement as witness that he abused Jadeja again, and asked him to return to the dressing room. This is also when he is said to have threatened to break Jadeja's teeth. Anderson was asked if he thought his actions were against the spirit of cricket. He said, 'Yes'.