Stokes, Prior support Anderson

Cricket365
July 27, 2014

England team-mates Ben Stokes and Matt Prior have reportedly given damning evidence against India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja.

England team-mates Ben Stokes and Matt Prior have reportedly given damning evidence against India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who has been found guilty of a level one breach of the International Cricket Council's code of conduct – and dealt a 50 percent match fee fine – after allegedly threatening to strike fast bowler James Anderson.

The incident purportedly happened on day two of the second Test at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, as the players walked to the pavilion before the lunch break. The Board of Control of Cricket in India have since challenged the ruling, insisting Anderson verbally abused and pushed Jadeja.

Stokes has suggested Jadeja pushed Anderson, while Prior has supported the claim. ICC chief executive David Richardson, meanwhile, has questioned India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's criticism of match referee David Boon's decision to sanction the 25-year-old Jadeja.

"England captain Alastair Cook and, more recently, India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni have made public comments relating to the alleged incident that took place during the first Test at Trent Bridge, the latter of which is critical of and undermines the ICC disciplinary process," said Richardson.

"The ICC would also like to reiterate its full support of the process followed and respect for the decision made by David Boon. ICC code of conduct hearings of this nature are, generally speaking, difficult processes to work through, with detailed legal submissions, witness statements and oral witness testimony.

"We are satisfied that Boon carefully and comprehensively considered the evidence and submissions presented to him at the hearing, which included conflicting evidence from both sides, prior to making his decision.

"In legal matters such as this, the ICC takes extremely seriously its duty as administrators of the game. Therefore, I request all stakeholders to respect the process which remains ongoing and remind them of their duties to the integrity of the process and the sport so that we can focus on the game of cricket itself."

The 31-year-old Anderson has been charged with a level three breach, which might bring a ban for up to four Tests. His hearing, which will be conducted by ICC-appointed judicial commissioner Gordon Lewis, will happen on Friday in Southampton.