India’s Ravindra Jadeja will be allowed to appeal against a fine for his part in an incident involving England’s James Anderson, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced yesterday.

All-rounder Jadeja was fined 50 percent of his match fee for misconduct in a confrontation with paceman Anderson during the drawn first Test in Nottingham on July 10. 

It appeared ICC regulations prevented Jadeja contesting his fine after match referee David Boon, the former Australia batsman, downgraded his offence to Level One under the ICC’s code of conduct.

However, in a brief statement issued yesterday from its Dubai headquarters during the ongoing third Test between England and India in Southampton, the ICC said Jadeja would be allowed an appeal.

His case will be heard by retired judge Gordon Lewis at the same time the Australian considers the more serious Level Three charge levelled against Anderson by India on August 1 -- the day after the third Test is due to end.

A statement read: “The ICC today (Wednesday) confirmed that, after receiving legal submissions from the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India), it has accepted India’s Ravindra Jadeja’s request for an appeal against the recent decision by match referee, David Boon. 

“The appeal will be heard at the same time as the disciplinary hearing taking place in respect of the charge against James Anderson on Friday 1 August, in Southampton.”

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, speaking ahead of the third Test, said Saturday that Jadeja had been on the receiving end of “foul langauge” and physical assault.

He added: “The beauty of Level One is you cannot appeal against it,” Dhoni said. “But the BCCI and the lawyers are working things out.”

Following Dhoni’s remarks, ICC chief executive David Richardson urged players on both sides to refrain from further public comment on the issue, with England captain Alastair Cook having labelled India’s initial charging of Anderson a “tactic” designed to get his spearhead seamer banned. 

India lead the five-match series 1-0. If Anderson is found guilty of a Level Three offence he could be banned for at least two matches, which would rule him out of both the fourth Test at Old Trafford and the series finale at The Oval in south London.

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