Alastair Cook claims India’s Jimmy Anderson allegation is a ‘tactic’

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/jul/16/alastair-cook-tactic-india-allegation-jimmy-anderson

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Alastair Cook has described India’s allegation of misconduct against Jimmy Anderson as a “tactic” designed to destabilise England before the second Test.

The England bowler was charged by India on Tuesday with “allegedly abusing and pushing” the all-rounder Ravi Jadeja after an incident that took place in the Trent Bridge pavilion at lunch on the second day of the first Test.

Anderson, who was named man of the match after scoring a career-best 81 which was also a record for an England No11, denied the accusations and England responded by pledging their “total support” for him.

“It’s for all the lads to rally round Jimmy, he’s a stalwart of our side, he’s an outstanding bowler with a fantastic record and its probably a tactic a little bit from India if we’re being honest and we have to rally behind him,” the England captain said. “Hopefully we can get the ball swinging and Jimmy can let his cricket do the talking.”

Asked if India would rather have Anderson out of the England team than in it, Cook said: “Yeah, I think so, I think that’s pretty much where it’s come from.”

England had issued a statement describing the incident as minor and said that in the light of the allegation, “the ECB has notified the ICC of its intention to lodge code of conduct breaches against Jadeja” for allegedly breaching the code of conduct in the same incident. “James Anderson categorically denies the accusations made against him, and the ECB have pledged their total support for the player.”

Cook confirmed that the counter charge had been levelled against India and said that although he knew what went on the pavilion, he could not talk about it while the charges were being considered. “I’m going to sound a bit like Arsène Wenger now but I didn’t see the incident,” he added. “To be honest with you it’s a big mountain out of a molehill.”

He did say that he would not be asking Anderson to tone down his aggression: “I think we have a responsibility as players who play for England never to cross that line and in the heat of battle when emotions are up there’s probably been situations throughout everyone’s careers where they probably look back and say I wish I hadn’t done that.

“I don’t think this is the case and I like it when Jimmy’s in that battle. He’s up for it, he’s desperate to do well for England and people are watching that and they get behind him and see a very competitive guy and I think people enjoy that.”

Cook said almost as an afterthought that he hoped the accusations did not sour relations for the Lord’s Test which starts on Thursday but that he had not spoken to his opposite number MS Dhoni about the situation.

The India team manager Sunil Dev, who lodged the complaint, told ESPN Cricinfo on Tuesday: “Mahi [Dhoni] and everyone complained that he physically touched him [Jadeja] and pushed him,” Dev said. “It was all over the dressing room. It is serious matter only because you can’t push anybody. So I put in a complaint with the match referee.”

The level three offence, which is what Anderson has been charged with, is the most serious offence under the ICC code of conduct and he could face a four-Test ban.

More details about the disciplinary procedures are likely to emerge before next Wednesday, when England believe there may be an initial hearing. Any decision remains unlikely until after the third Test of the series in Southampton.