The Indian team's complaint against James Anderson over an alleged altercation with Ravindra Jadeja was brought to the ICC's notice on Friday, July 11, around 24 hours after the incident during the first Investec Test at Trent Bridge. On Tuesday, Anderson was charged with a Level 3 offence for allegedly "pushing and abusing" Jadeja on the second day of the Test.

The complaint by the Indians had suggested Level 3 charges against Anderson, which immediately put the matter outside the purview of match officials. The ICC was then required to study the situation in greater detail in order to ascertain whether the charges were valid.

Before formal charges were laid against Anderson, it is understood an ICC lawyer flew to England on Friday and spoke to both sides to see if the issue could be resolved. When that did not happen, the matter went through a legal process: on Sunday evening, the Indian team informed the England side that a Level 3 charge was being brought against Anderson and the formal "notice of charge" was issued on Tuesday. The ICC's judicial commissioner, who will hold a hearing on the matter, can be appointed only after the ECB formally replies to this "notice of charge".

Anderson faces a ban of at least two Tests if he is found guilty as the minimum sanction for a Level 3 violation is four suspension points and two points equates to missing one Test. He now faces a hearing, which according to the ICC code, needs to take place within 14 days. Anderson is the first player to be charged with a Level 3 offence in international cricket since Harbhajan Singh in 2008. Harbhajan was charged for making a racist comment against Australian cricketer Andrew Symonds, and was handed a three-match ban before eventually being docked 50% of his match fees as the charges were not proven.

The alleged incident between Anderson and Jadeja took place after the players left the field for lunch on the second day and it was reportedly a continuation of a verbal altercation between the two as they were walking off.

Anderson was charged under Article 2.3.3, which states: "Where the facts of the alleged incident are not adequately or clearly covered by any of the above offences, conduct that either: (a) is contrary to the spirit of the game; or (b) brings the game into disrepute.

"Level 3 charges are referred to a Judicial Commissioner for adjudication," the ICC continued. "As such, where required under Article 5.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, the ICC will appoint a Judicial Commissioner who will hold a hearing as soon as reasonably practicable. These details will be announced in due course.

"All Level 3 breaches carry a penalty of between four and eight 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."