The Indian cricket board and players suffered a big blow on Wednesday, when the International Cricket Council (ICC), the sport's global governing body, said that it would not review or take up a fresh appeal against the the ruling of judicial commissioner Gordon Lewis, who found both James Anderson and Ravindra Jadeja not guilty of violating the ICC's code of conduct.
The ICC confirmed that it had received and considered the written decision of Lewis in respect of his findings that England's James Anderson and India's Ravindra Jadeja were not guilty of breaching the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, following an extensive disciplinary hearing held in Southampton on Friday.
After assessing the content of the decision, the ICC said that it was satisfied with the reasons provided and has elected not to exercise its discretion to appeal against the decision relating to James Anderson, pursuant to clause 8.3.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct.
ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said: "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.
"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.
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"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.
"As a matter of best practice, the ICC will now review the procedures as set out in the Code and reflect upon the comments made by Gordon Lewis in his decision about how a case of this nature might better be provided for in the future."
Commenting generally, however, on the use of offensive language, Mr Richardson added: "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."Earlier, it was reported that the ICC may consider an appeal against the decision because the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had expressed its unhappiness over the ruling, especially with the clean chit given to James Anderson.
The governing body of international cricket said earlier it is considering the written decision of judicial commissioner Gordon Lewis, who found the pair not guilty of breaching the ICC's code of conduct following a disciplinary hearing in Southampton on Friday.
The ICC added: "As per Section 8.3.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct, ICC chief executive David Richardson has seven days-until Sunday, 10 August-to consider whether to lodge an appeal against the decision.
India charged fast bowler Anderson and England counter-charged all-rounder Jadeja regarding an incident that took place on the second day of the drawn first Test at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on July 10.
Anderson and Jadeja, batting at the time, were seen exchanging words as the players left the field during the lunch break.
It was alleged that this had escalated into a more serious disagreement, beyond public view, when the players reached the privacy of the pavilion.
But Lewis, a retired Australian judge, found Anderson not guilty of a Level Three offence of "abusing and pushing" Jadeja, who had his 50 percent match-fee fine for a less serious Level One offence rescinded.
Anderson could have been banned for up to four Tests if he had been found guilty and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has expressed disappointment with the decision to clear him.
