MCC members comments ‘disrespectful’ – Khawaja

Marylebone Cricket Club members made “disrespectful” comments to Australia players in the Long Room at Lord’s, says Australia batter Usman Khawaja.

The incident came after Jonny Bairstow was controversially stumped by Australia wicketkeeper Alex Carey.

The MCC has apologised “unreservedly”.

“It was really disappointing,” said Khawaja.

“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.

“Some of the stuff that was coming out of the members’ mouths is really disappointing and I wasn’t just going stand by and cop it. So I just talked to a few of them.

“A few of them were throwing out some pretty big allegations and I just called them up on it and they kept going, and I was like, well, this is your membership here.

“It’s pretty disrespectful, to be honest. I just expect a lot better from the members.”

Australia have asked the MCC to investigate.

Based at Lord’s, which it owns, the MCC acts as custodian and arbiter of the laws and spirit of cricket.

“We have unreservedly apologised to the Australian team,” the MCC said in a statement.

Tempers flared after Carey threw down the stumps to dismiss Bairstow, who left his crease after seemingly believing the ball was dead at the end of the over.

Australia’s players were booed and players from both sides exchanged words as they walked off the field at lunch before Khawaja and Warner appeared to be confronted by members inside the pavilion.

“MCC came and apologised for the behaviour of some of the members,” said Australia captain Pat Cummins.

“I think some of them might lose their memberships over the way they behaved. Other than that one time, they were fantastic all week. Normally fantastic, really welcoming.

“They were just quite aggressive and abusive towards some of our players, which I know the MCC weren’t too happy with.”

A spokesperson for Australia said: “Australian management has requested the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) investigates several incidents involving spectators in the members area during lunch on day five of the Lord’s Test.

“It is alleged players and staff from the Australian team were verbally abused, with some being physically contacted, as they made their way to lunch through the members area.”

A MCC spokesperson added: “The Long Room is unique in world cricket and the great privilege of players passing through the pavilion is very special.

“After this morning’s play, emotions were running high, and words were unfortunately exchanged with some of the Australian team, by a small number of members.

“We have unreservedly apologised to the Australian team and will deal with any member who has not maintained the standard we expect through our disciplinary processes.

“It was not necessary to eject anyone from the ground and I am pleased to say that there was no repeat of this as the players resumed the field for this afternoon’s session.”