The International Cricket Council has decided not to appeal against the ruling that saw England seamer James Anderson found not guilty of breaching its code of conduct.

Anderson was cleared last week of any wrong-doing by judicial commissioner Gordon Lewis relating to having been accused by India of pushing and abusing their all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja in the Trent Bridge pavilion during the first Investec Test.

Only the ICC, via chief executive Dave Richardson, could challenge that verdict — as well as the one that cleared Jadeja of a lesser charge — but after announcing on Tuesday that it would consider the verdict, the governing body has decided not to push the case further.

Richardson said: “This outcome is the result of two exhaustive and thorough disciplinary processes and, after considering the written decision, the ICC is satisfied with the manner in which the decisions have been reached.”

Richardson’s refusal to re-open a case that was heard at length via teleconference after last week’s Test at the Ageas Bowl finally draws the Anderson-Jadeja saga to an end.

The England seamer, top wicket-taker in the series and man-of-the-match in Southampton, had been facing a ban of up to four Tests if found guilty but can now go into his home match at Old Trafford today with no cloud hanging over him.

The decision will be welcomed by the England and Wales Cricket Board, who were surprised to see the issue escalated so far by the tourists, while India will be highly aggrieved.