Ben Stokes and Mitchell Johnson have been cleared of any misconduct after their collision on day four of the Adelaide Test, the International Cricket Council has confirmed.

The two all-rounders clashed as Stokes made his way through for a single while Johnson was bowling in the second innings of England’s defeat.

Under the ICC code of conduct, a maximum penalty of a one-Test ban or full match fee fine was possible for either player after they were charged under Article 2.2.4 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which refers to “inappropriate and deliberate physical contact between players in the course of play during an international match.”

But after both pleaded not guilty, Jeff Crowe of the elite panel of ICC match referees cleared them of the charges.

“I am satisfied in respect of both players that their physical contact was not deliberate,” he said.

“Both players, however, could have done more to avoid each other and they have been so counselled.

“We do not condone physical contact, but recognise that on occasions such contact could be accidental.”