England and India head into the fourth Test of the Investec Series this morning with captains Alastair Cook and Mahendra Singh Dhoni having outlined radically different views on the spirit of cricket.

With the series level at 1-1 with two to play and the promise of a lively surface at Emirates Old Trafford, things are reaching fever pitch in a sporting sense, but the controversy over James Anderson's altercation with Ravindra Jadeja still looms large.

The matter was formally put to bed on Wednesday morning when International Cricket Council chief executive Dave Richardson announced he would not appeal against disciplinary commissioner Gordon Lewis' ruling that there was insufficient proof to punish either player.

That removed once and for all the prospect of a ban for Anderson, who was accused of pushing and abusing the India all-rounder in the Trent Bridge pavilion last month, but entrenched views continue to exist on each side.

For Cook, Anderson is guilty only of a healthy competitive edge and a mild case of Jekyll and Hyde syndrome, while Dhoni has taken defiantly against what he perceives to be unacceptably boorish behaviour from the hosts.

"We know every time you pull on the shirt as an England player, or any international side, you are role models for anyone watching, we're all aware of that," said Cook.

"But we also want to play competitive cricket, we don't want to be too nicey nicey, with everyone saying 'they're playing in the right spirit'. There's always that muddied line.

"Of course there's little bits where Jimmy might have overstepped the mark throughout his career but you'd rather be on that line than too passive.

"He's a very different personality when he crosses the line and I don't think anyone should moan about that because what happens on the field should stay on the field and off the field you should be a nice guy...that's why he has that slightly split personality."

Dhoni has a less forgiving take on Anderson's conduct.

He called for repeated cursing and sledging to be punishable by match officials, despite insisting it was only the alleged hands-on contact that prompted Indian outrage on this occasion.

Dhoni was asked multiple questions about Anderson on the eve of the match, and gladly took the opportunity to ascend the moral high ground.

'"We never said anything about (Anderson's) sledging. Quite a few harsh words were spoken but we didn't report that. No, it was physical contact.," he said.

"At the end of day I want to be happy when I look in the mirror and sleep well.

''If something wrong is happening I will go against it irrespective of who is doing it.

"The world has changed and a lot of emphasis is put on winning games with so-called killer instinct but it has been misinterpreted a lot..

"If someone is consistent with his abuse he should be punished. You cannot really move ahead saying abuse is part of the game."