Ashes cricket: Australia v England - MCC apologises and suspends three members after altercation with Australian team

MCC members verbally abuse the Australian Cricket team as they walk through the Long Room during the lunch break on the final day of the second Ashes test.

Marylebone Cricket Club has “apologised unreservedly” to the Australian team and suspended three of its members after alleged verbal abuse and physical contact as the teams left the field for lunch following English batter Jonny Bairstow’s controversial dismissal.

The Australian cricket team requested that Lord’s investigate the incident as a febrile atmosphere developed on the final day of the second Ashes test.

Let's have a look at what the elite MCC members have to say

As it's not on the Western Terrace nothing will be done. pic.twitter.com/mzb4XF6agp

— ꜱɪʀ ꜰʀᴇᴅ ʙᴏʏᴄᴏᴛᴛ (@FredBoycott) July 2, 2023

Australia were booed off the field, through the Long Room and up the stairs to their changing room by the usually serene Lord’s crowd after refusing to withdraw their appeal when Alex Carey stumped Bairstow, who ambled out of his ground believing the ball to be dead.

Jonny Bairstow’s dismissal… thoughts? 👍👎#Ashes2023 pic.twitter.com/x5Uv3Qg3Kc

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) July 2, 2023

Some players, including Usman Khawaja, were filmed stopping to remonstrate with supporters.

MCC chief executive Guy Lavender, a former lieutenant colonel in the Parachute Regiment, took the highly unusual step of addressing members in the Long Room at lunchtime, reminding them to respect the players. Lord’s is almost unique in world cricket in that players have to walk through a room full of spectators to get to and from the field.

An MCC statement said: “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.

Usman Khawaja was pulled back by security after speaking to one the members inside the long room 😳

🗣️ "I've NEVER seen scenes like that!" pic.twitter.com/2RnjiNssfw

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 2, 2023

“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.”

The incensed Australians called on MCC to investigate the matter.

A statement said: “Australian management has requested the Marylebone Cricket Club investigate 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.”

The MCC later confirmed that three members were suspended.

“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.

“MCC condemns the behaviour witnessed and once again we re-iterate our apology to Cricket Australia. We are thoroughly disappointed to be talking about poor behaviour when the Long Room, as stated by Pat Cummins himself, is otherwise renowned for being “really welcoming”. It has been a thrilling day to finish off a wonderful five days of Test cricket.”