Anderson fined 50 per cent of match fee for ICC Code of Conduct breach

England player James Anderson has been fined 50 per cent of his match fee for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during his side's latest ODI against the West Indies.

Anderson was found guilty of a Level 2 offence by Emirates Elite Panel ICC Match Referee Mike Procter in a hearing after play concluded in Birmingham on Wednesday.

The player was found to have breached clause 2.4 of the ICC Code of Conduct which relates to "inappropriate and deliberate physical contact between players in the course of play."

Anderson was found guilty of twice nudging against batsman Runako Morton during the West Indies' player's brief stay at the crease.

Then, after Morton was dismissed, Anderson was found to have run towards the departing player to start a further confrontation, this time a verbal one.

Mr Procter found Morton not guilty of a Level 2 offence, clause 2.8 of the Code which relates to offensive language or gestures.

However, Anderson's seam bowling colleague Stuart Broad was found to have breached clause 1.1 of the Code, which concerns the ICC Logo Policy.

Broad wore a visible white garment under his playing shirt on Wednesday, something not permitted under clothing regulations.

Explaining his decisions, Mr Procter said: "I have no problem with players being aggressive on the field because our game is all about passion and commitment.

"But, at the same time, they have to recognize they are role models watched by people all over the world.

"Cricket is, after all, a non-contact sport and when players fail to recognize that fact and engage in needless nudges, the type of which we saw yesterday, then that is where we have to draw the line.

"James Anderson is not a player with a reputation for bad behaviour and, as he reflects on what happened yesterday and the fine he has incurred, I am sure he will do everything he can to ensure there is no repeat of this unfortunate incident.

"I concluded that Runako Morton was the victim of James Anderson's aggression rather than guilty of bad behaviour.

"As for Stuart Broad's offence, the regulations regarding clothing are there in black and white and teams are reminded about them on a regular basis.

"The potential for problems with players, especially bowlers, wearing visible white garments in a match involving a white ball is obvious and hopefully this sanction against Stuart will serve as a reminder to him not to wear such garments in the future."

Level 2 breaches of the ICC Code of Conduct carry a minimum penalty of a fine of 50 per cent of a player's match fee up to a fine of all that fee and/or a one Test match or two ODI ban.

A player does have a right of appeal in the case of Level 2, 3 and 4 offences. Such an appeal must be lodged in writing with the ICC's Legal Counsel within 24 hours of the decision being handed down.

Level 1 breaches of the ICC Code of Conduct carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player's match fee. For Level 1 breaches of the ICC Code of Conduct the ICC Match Referee's decision is final and binding.

The charges were brought by on-field umpires Brian Jerling and Nigel Llong and the hearings were attended by those two officials along with third umpire Neil Mallender and fourth official Barry Dudleston.

Also present during the course of the hearings were West Indies team manager Michael Findlay, coach David Moore and captain Chris Gayle, England coach Peter Moores, team operations manager Phil Neale and the relevant players, as well as the England and Wales Cricket Board's David Clarke.

Video evidence was used during the course of the hearings and Mr Procter deliberated overnight before handing down his decisions.

The full ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Officials can be found here:

The West Indies won Wednesday's match at Edgbaston by 61 runs to level the three-match series at 1-1. The final match of the series is scheduled to take place at Trent Bridge, Nottingham on Saturday.