MCC bans three members after their verbal spat with Australian players on Day 5 of Lord’s test in Ashes 2023
(Source – Twitter)
The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has banned three members after a heated incident with Australian players on Day 5 of the second Ashes 2023 Test at Lord’s on Sunday. Australian opener Usman Khawaja was observed stopping and addressing an MCC member as the players headed into the Long Room. Security guards dragged him back.
Warner was also spotted making a remark to several of the members. The booing continued as the Australian players made their way up the steps. The incident occurred as players were leaving for lunch, not long after England keeper-batter Jonny Bairstow’s disputed stumping, which resulted in a tense atmosphere at the pitch. Bairstow was run out after leaving his crease, as the Australian keeper Alex Carey threw the ball which hit the stumps.
They will not be permitted back to Lord’s: MCC
MCC apologised “unreservedly” for the event and announced the suspension of three members in an official statement. According to the MCC statement, “They [suspended members] will not be permitted back to Lord’s whilst the investigation takes place. We maintain that the behaviour of a small number of members was completely unacceptable and whilst there was no suggestion by [Australia captain] Pat Cummins in the post-match press conference that there was any physical altercation, it remains wholly unacceptable to behave in such a way, which goes against the values of the club.
MCC condemns the behaviour witnessed and once again we re-iterate our apology to Cricket Australia.”
When asked about the incident, Australian opener Usman Khawaja called some of the team’s behaviour as “really disappointing.” The left-handed batter stated that Lord’s is one of his favourite locations and added that he wasn’t going to take the abuse that was aimed at them as they walked to lunch. He said, “It was really disappointing. Lord’s is one of my favourite places to come. There’s always respect shown at Lord’s, particularly in the Members Pavilion in the Long Room, but there wasn’t today. It was very disappointing. If anyone asked me where the best place is to play, I always say Lord’s.”
