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James Anderson was let off on the Level 3 charge of pushing Ravindra Jadeja during the Trent Bridge Test, but he admitted to having 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. That sentence was successfully overturned during the hearing on Friday in Southampton.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 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. Anderson didn’t contest the charge that he called Jadeja a “f***ing p**ck” and a “f***ing c**t”.What happened next, though, in the corridor leading to the dressing rooms had two different versions. India contended that Anderson abused Jadeja once again, in reaction to which he half-turned, and was then allegedly pushed by Anderson. England claimed Anderson acted in self-defence as Jadeja allegedly turned aggressively at Anderson. However, Anderson didn’t contest MS Dhoni’s statement as witness that he abused Jadeja again, and asked him to “go to his f***ing 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.”James Anderson didn’t contest the charge that he pushed Ravindra Jadeja and told him to go to his “f***ing dressing room”•Getty Images

With one man’s word against another, the case came down to lack of video evidence of what happened in the corridor. The staircase outside the corridor, leading to the playing field, was monitored by the ACSU cameras. The staircase connecting the corridor and the dressing room, too, was monitored by the ICC cameras. There was a webcam in the corridor, but it was not ICC’s, and it wasn’t working on that day.Anderson, who has gained a reputation of being overly aggressive on the field, has, however, little history of misconduct on his official record. He has been charged only once under the ICC’s Code of Conduct, back in 2007.Indeed this charge, too, wouldn’t have been laid had England’s attempts at negotiations with India succeeded. India’s coach Duncan Fletcher testified during the hearing that Paul Downton, managing director of England cricket, tried to convince India to lay a Level 2 charge. The judicial commissioner Gordon Lewis, who presided over the case via video link from Australia, heard that Downton tried to convince Fletcher against taking such strong action. Fletcher said that when he didn’t agree, Downton threatened him with a counter charge against Jadeja – a threat that was eventually carried out.Once the BCCI insisted on laying the charge, it became the ICC’s responsibility to prosecute. However, it didn’t have enough evidence to get the verdict it sought. Lack of video evidence might have got Anderson off the Level 3 charge but what has raised eyebrows is that there has been no reprimand or a lower sentence. That, though, might be explained in the detailed verdict.

Najam Sethi, the veteran journalist who was PCB chairman several times over the past year, is back in an influential role in the board. He was named the head of what is expected to be an all-powerful executive committee to control cricket affairs in Pakistan. The committee also includes the chief operating officer Subhan Ahmed and chief finance officer Badar Khan.The three-man ExCo is set to be the sole recommendation committee on all major executive decisions in the PCB though the board chairman Shaharyar Khan will still be the ultimate signing authority. The PCB, however, has not divulged the ExCo’s powers but it is understood that the committee will be holding the major chunk of power in the board. If that happens, it will be the first time the PCB’s powers have been centred on the executive committee, as earlier the PCB chairman held the most power.Sethi had been appointed and removed as PCB chairman several times as the board faced a governing crisis following a disputed PCB election in May 2013. Sethi was in line to become full-time chairman but had to step down on the objection of the Supreme Court. He was, however, named in the PCB governing board as a direct nomination by the prime minister of Pakistan, who is also patron of the PCB.The governing board of the PCB was expected to be empowered following a revamp of the constitution last month but only Sethi has been added in the ExCo of the nine governing board representatives from various regions and departments.In the meeting of the PCB board of governors chaired by Shaharyar Khan at National Cricket Academy in Lahore, the board approved the budget for the year 2014-15. “The BoG appreciated the efforts of PCB management to control expenditure and improved income, resulting in projected profits for the financial year 2014-15,” a press release said. A cricket committee and a grassroots committee was also named.Regarding the Pakistan Super League, the country’s proposed franchise-based Twenty20 tournament, the PCB decided to invite bidders for franchises for a meeting next week.

Franchises from the Indian Premier League will get first priority over players for the proposed Champions League, and any team that fields a cricketer from the unofficial Indian Cricket League will be automatically disqualified from the international Twenty20 competition, Lalit Modi, the chairman of IPL, has said.However, Modi told Cricinfo that the Champions League was “still a long way away” and what has been agreed upon by various boards so far is “only an in-principle agreement” to host such an event. “The venues have not been decided, the dates are still open and we are trying to host the event this year,” Modi said.The England and Wales Cricket Board had on Saturday issued a press release which said that the ECB, Cricket Australia, the BCCI and Cricket South Africa had “reached an agreement for the staging of the inaugural Champions League this autumn” for a top prize of US$ 5 million. However, Modi said he would be able to provide a clear picture only after the BCCI’s working committee discusses the issue during a meeting scheduled on June 22.Asked about the Champions League’s regulations, Modi, who is also a vice-president of the BCCI, said that “it had been clearly resolved earlier” that the IPL franchises would get priority over cricketers in their team. But the franchises will have to pay a “relieving fees” to the player’s state team if both have qualified for the event, he said.Elaborating on the case of Michael Hussey, who is caught between Western Australia and Chennai Super Kings for the Champions League, Modi said, “In the case of Michael Hussey, Chennai Super Kings has the option to keep him and pay a relieving fees to Western Australia. The option is with Super Kings.”However, players like David Hussey, whose IPL team, Kolkata Knight Riders, failed to qualify for the Champions League, will have to play for Victoria, he said. “In case of David Hussey, he has to play for his home team if his IPL team has not qualified. If his home team has qualified, which it has, then he plays for them. The county option is his third fall back,” Modi said.Modi also clarified that “any ICL player playing for any team automatically disqualifies that team from participating” in the Champions League. “No exceptions will be made under any circumstances,” Modi said.Currently, about 24 ICL players have been signed up to play for various English counties – the top two Twenty20 teams from England will join Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings from India, the Titans from Pretoria and KwaZulu Natal Dolphins representing South Africa and Western Australia and Victoria from Australia in the Champions League.

The Premier League’s weather-ravaged Southern Electric Contracting Cup is edging towards the semi-final stage, with BAT Sports and South Wilts now within sight of the Rose Bowl final.BAT, who have never won the trophy, edged into the semi-finals with a last-ball victory over Portsmouth.But South Wilts cruised home by nine wickets after restricting Old Tauntonians & Romsey to 102-8 (Stuart Tulk 28) at Lower Bemerton.Paul Draper (3-20) and Rob Wade (3-38) did the damage before an unbeaten 57 by Russell Rowe, supported by Jon Nash’s 34 not out, eased South Wilts towards a home semi-final tie against Rowledge or Burridge.The two rain-delayed quarter-finals are scheduled to be played tomorrow evening (TUES 9) – weather permitting.Burridge face the tea-time trek to Rowledge, while Easton & Martyr Worthy are eyeing up a potential shock against Bashley (Rydal).Scheduled matches –
Tomorrow (Tuesday):
Quarter-finals: Easton & Martyr Worthy v Bashley (Rydal), Rowledge v Burridge.Semi-finals:
Tuesday July 16
BAT Sports v Easton & Martyr Worthy or Bashley (Rydal)Thursday July 18
South Wilts v Rowledge or Burridge.The final is scheduled to be played on the main Rose Bowl arena on Friday August 2.

Lance Gibbs may now reside in Miami, but he cannot stay away from his own country, especially when there is cricket to watch. He appears in the prime of health – tall and erect, with a dignified bearing. Aside from being the first spinner to take more than 300 Test wickets, he is also an excellent raconteur.”Many spinners have gone past me in terms of wickets taken now, but I’m happy,” says Gibbs graciously. “Nowadays they are playing more matches; we could not play against Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe or South Africa, and only few Tests against New Zealand.”Our generation didn’t play for records,” says Gibbs. He proceeds to add, mischieviously, “But you should give credit to this old man for crossing the barrier of 300 Test wickets first as a spinner.”The West Indies have lacked good spinners after Sonny Ramadhin, Alf Valentine and Gibbs. Why are youngsters not interested in taking up spin? Gibbs thinks it is a lack of readiness to work hard.”Spinners should have the mentality of toiling more than any other cricketer in the nets,” opines Gibbs. “The new genration of spinners in our country are not doing that. I can tell you that I used to come to the ground first and always left it last. For a spinner, accuracy is the main thing, and for that they have to devote more time in the nets. Even when my fingers were bleeding, I didn’t leave the nets. And that is why, even after retiring from the game almost 30 years ago, you are still coming to interview me, isn’t it?”Muttiah Muralitharan, the stellar off-spinner of this generation, has his eyes on 600 wickets. Gibbs considers him a very good bowler, but he was not ready to say anything about his action. “That is for the umpires to decide,” he says, unwilling to invite controversy.When asked about the batsman who had given him the most problems, he is quick to reply. “Ian Chappell – it was really difficult to bowl against him, and I couldn’t keep any close-in fielders for him,” says Gibbs. “Neil Harvey, Ian Johnson and Colin Cowdrey also played spin with authority. My list of favourite batsmen also have Viv Richards and Clive Lloyd. Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara are there too. Every one of them is a very good player of spin.”However, he is not happy at the way Anil Kumble has bowled in this series. “Why does he keep the balls outside the leg-stump, especially when it was not turning so much?,” asks Gibbs. “To me, Sarandeep looks to be an average bowler.”

As he made plain before embarking on his ill-fated trip to Australia, Darren Gough has re-affirmed that he would like to play out the remainder of his career with Yorkshire, but has also not ruled out the possibility that he might yet move to another county. This is presuming that he is able to resume his career, having had three operations on his troublesome right knee in the course of the last year.Gough feared that his last chance was to go to the United States to consult with a specialist there with a view to a fourth and final operation. However, he has been assured that the knee only requires further rehabilitation and not more surgery.He is still waiting for a new contract from Yorkshire after the expiry of the previous one in the autumn. On his departure for Australia he scotched rumours that he might be offered a pay-as-he-plays arrangement, and has once again said that he would not consider such a deal."Basically a pay-as-you-play contract is stupid. I’ve had chats with Yorkshire and they want me to do a lot of things but at this moment in time I am a free agent – I have no county."I want to play for Yorkshire for the rest of my career but unfortunately I am out of contract at the minute and if someone nips in you can never say never."With reference to his recent trans-Atlantic trip he said: "I went to the States to get an opinion. The good news was I didn’t need the operation as my cartilage is still intact."One problem you have is you are always under pressure too soon. After each operation I’ve had, I’ve not done the right rehabilitation for long enough."I’m very hopeful. I wouldn’t be doing all this if I wasn’t. I’m insured and the easy way out at my age is to take the insurance and walk away. But I want to play."

The South African team led by captain Ahmed Amla of KwaZulu-Natal beatBotswana in the final of the Africa Cup in Lusaka, Zambia, yesterday to takethe tournament trophy.South Africa bowled Botswana out for just 38 runs to win the final by 270runs and to bring home the Africa Cup.”There were three major benefits for South African cricket at thistournament,” said UCB CEO Gerald Majola today. “Firstly, the South Africanteam won handsomely, and they are the proud champions of Africa. Secondly,it has given this young team that was chosen from across the South Africanspectrum the chance to play international cricket together and to build forthe future. And thirdly, it was most meaningful to participate in atournament that is a vital part of the drive to make Africa a majorcricketing continent,” Majola added.

BRISBANE, Nov 4 AAP – Queensland off-spinner Nathan Hauritz claimed three quick wickets to leave England faltering in its run chase in the three-day tour cricket match at Allan Border Field today.At tea on the final day, England was 6-292 in its first innings in reply to Queensland’s 582.Hauritz (3-32 from 14 overs) claimed Michael Vaughan (127), captain Nasser Hussain (27) and John Crawley (seven) to take the sting from England’s run chase.The tourists were on track when the classy Vaughan and Mark Butcher (45) were cruising through a 92-run stand before Butcher was caught behind off Ashley Noffke in the first over after tea.Hussain looked scratchy in his 71-minute stay before he skied an edge to Michael Kasprowicz, who took an excellent running catch in the outfied.Vaughan hit 23 fours and one six before he was trapped LBW playing back to Hauritz in his first long spell since returning from Australia’s recent Test and one-day tours.Crawley didn’t look comfortable during his 40-ball stay, while Alec Stewart was unbeaten on 11 at the break.

A classy half-century from young all-rounder Damien Brandy was the highlight of the second day of Leicestershire Second X1’s clash with Essex at Oakham School.It kept them in the match, and then some excellent bowling from Jamie Grove, George Walker and Ian Flanagan provided the ideal follow-up.By the close Essex were 176 for seven in their second innings, giving them a lead of 282.Brandy hit an unbeaten 57 in Leicestershire’s first innings total of 176,a knock made even more enjoyable for the 20-year-old because it was against the county where he began his career.Coach Lloyd Tennant said;”Damien came through the Essex youth system before coming to us last season.There is no doubt at all that he has a lot of class and style, and he showed it in this knock. Sometimes a lack of concentration lets him down.”When Essex batted again with a lead of 106, Grove took two more wickets to add to the four he claimed in the first innings, and there were two apiece as well for Walker and Flanagan.

England star Marcus Trescothick was back at the County Ground this afternoon, after returning from his holiday in Spain.I asked him how he felt about Somerset getting to the final of the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy at Lords.He told me: "It’s really fantastic news. I might not have been at the ground but I kept in touch all day with phone calls and text messages. It was pretty exciting at the end so I can’t wait to see the video of the match."Was he going to be able to play in the final I asked. He told me: "Funny you should ask me that because I have just had Michael Vaughan on the telephone about the same thing. I told him that I’m trying to make sure that I am fit for the Lords final. In fact the target for my return to cricket is the championship match against Lancashire at Blackpool just a few days before the final."He continued: "It’s too soon to be sure at the moment because it’s less than three weeks ago that I did it. However after another week hopefully we will have a clearer indication as to how things are progressing."All Somerset supporters will be hoping that Marcus will be there on August 31st to lead the side out onto the field, to open the batting and at the end to lift the trophy aloft.