Picture Credit: Twitter
The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has taken stern action against three of its members who were involved in altercations with the Australian players in the Lord’s Long Room on the final day of the second Ashes Test. The club has suspended the three members and apologised to the Pat Cummins-led side for the unacceptable behaviour of some of its members.
The incident occurred at lunch on day five when Australia openers Usman Khawaja and David Warner were walking back to the dressing room after Jonny Bairstow’s controversial stumping. Television footage showed Khawaja and Warner exchanging words with some members in the Long Room, with the security guards intervening and pulling the players aside.
The club also said that it condemned the behaviour witnessed and went against the club's values. The statement from MCC read, “Further to the earlier statement, MCC can confirm it has suspended three Members identified from earlier today. They will not be permitted back to Lord’s whilst the investigation takes place and were informed of this by MCC Chief Executive, Guy Lavender, this evening.”
“We maintain that the behaviour of a small number of Members was completely unacceptable and whilst there was no suggestion by 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” the statement continued.
Australian opener Usman Khawaja, who was part of the exchange, later said that he was disappointed by the comments made by some of the members and that he expected better from them. The opener also said that some of them were throwing out some “pretty big allegations” and that he called them up on it.
The entire incident unfolded after Bairstow’s controversial dismissal, which took place in the 52nd over. Bairstow had ducked a slow bouncer and immediately left his crease to meet skipper Ben Stokes at the other end, thinking the ball was already “dead”. However, wicketkeeper Alex Carey under-armed the ball into his stumps and the Australians celebrated. Bairstow was given out for 10 after a brief review.
While there is no doubt that Bairstow was out under the game's laws, England coach Brendon McCullum and Stokes believe the dismissal was not in the spirit of the game. However, many ex-England cricketers like Michael Atherton, Andrew Strauss and former England captain Eoin Morgan have supported Alex Carey and the Australians.
