Pushgate: James Anderson Hearing Set For August 1

London: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday said that it will hold the hearing of England fast bowler James Anderson via videoconference on August 1 following the conclusion of the third Test against India. Anderson and India allrounder Ravindra Jadeja were involved in a heated confrontation during the Trent Bridge Test following which they were charged by the ICC under different levels for breaching its Code of Conduct for Players.

Judicial Commissioner Gordon Lewis, who presided over the preliminary hearing, announced his decision on Tuesday morning that was attended by representatives of Anderson and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) with their legal counsel, along with representatives of the BCCI and their legal counsel and the ICC's Ethics & Regulatory Lawyer. The decision will be announced after 48 hours of the hearing.

"At the end of the hearing on 1 August, the Judicial Commissioner, as per article 5.2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, will have 48 hours to announce his decision in writing with reasons," the ICC said in a statement after a preliminary hearing today," ICC said in a media release on Tuesday.

The ICC said that if the charges against Anderson aren't proven, "then it remains open to him, at his discretion, to find the Player or Player Support Personnel guilty of an offence of a lower level than that with which he has been charged."

Meanwhile, David Boon will hold the hearing of Jadeja and the details of which will be announced by the governing body soon.

The heated confrontation during the lunch interval of the second day's play at Trent Bridge on July 10 led to accusations that Anderson physically and verbally assaulted Jadeja. The England bowler exchanged words with both Jadeja and India captain MS Dhoni as they left the field and then the row escalated in the pavilion corridor.

The touring Indian team has alleged that Anderson pushed and abused Jadeja, while England have also counter-charged the latter. India are adamant that Anderson instigated the physical clash but the home team counters that Jadeja was just as aggressive and had to be pulled away by his captain.

Although there was no official confirmation from the ECB, the Indian team management is unhappy with unconfirmed reports that there is no video evidence available of the alleged altercation between Anderson and Jadeja despite the fact that a camera had been installed outside the dressing rooms at Trent Bridge.

Anderson and Jadeja were charged under Level 3 and 2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel by India team manager Sunil Dev and England team manager Phil Neale respectively.

Level 3 breaches carry a penalty of between four and eight Suspension Points while Level 2 offences carry a fine of between 50-100 per cent of applicable Match Fee and/or up to two Suspension Points. Two suspension points equates to a ban of one Test, or two ODIs, depending on which type of match is scheduled next for the suspended player.

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