England fast bowler James Anderson has been charged by the International Cricket Council (ICC) with violation of the Code of Conduct by allegedly abusing and pushing India’s Ravindra Jadeja during the first cricket Test at Trent Bridge.

In retaliation, a “shocked” ECB has accused Jadeja of a lesser offence as they do not want both players — especially Anderson — to be forced to miss the final two Tests.

Anderson could miss the final two Tests of the series if found guilty of the Level 3 offence, which is seen as serious and range from physical altercations to use of offensive language.

The alleged offence has been reported under Article 2.3.3 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, 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”.

The fast bowler, who was involved in world record last-wicket partnership with Joe Root in the Test, was involved in some verbal altercations with Jadeja as the batsman and his captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni walked off for lunch. India allege that when the teams were inside the pavilion, Anderson pushed the all-rounder.

Nothing more was heard of the incident during the match, but the England camp got a call from India coach Duncan Fletcher, who was quoted by Daily Mail as saying that the tourists were pressing ahead with a Level 3 complaint despite the fact the ICC was keen on the teams sorting it between themselves.

An ICC statement said: “Anderson has been charged for allegedly abusing and pushing Ravindra Jadeja immediately after they left the field for lunch on Thursday. It is alleged that this was a continuation of a verbal altercation between Anderson and Jadeja as they were walking from the field.”

It is believed Dhoni is driving the complaint and that India are going ahead with it to try to get Anderson banned for the final two matches of the series and are prepared to live with any ban Jadeja could get.

An ICC-appointed Judicial Commissioner will gather evidence in the next 14 days, meaning Anderson will definitely be free to play at Lord’s and the Ageas Bowl, but if found guilty could miss Old Trafford and The Kia Oval.

This is not the first time there has been bad blood between the sides — famously there was ‘Jellybeangate’ in 2007, when and England player placed jellybeans next to the stumps when Zaheer Khan came out to bat at Trent Bridge.

All Level 3 breaches carry a penalty of between four and eight Suspension Points. Two suspension points equate to a ban of one Test, or two ODIs, depending on which type of match is scheduled next for the suspended player.