Australia has raised concerns with the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) after their players were subjected to abuse and alleged physical contact by some members inside the Lord’s Pavilion. The incident occurred during the final day of the second Ashes Test, which Australia won by 43 runs, taking them to a 2-0 lead and putting them in a strong position to win the Ashes series in England for the first time since 2001.
The drama unfolded when Australian wicketkeeper, Alex Carey, stumped England’s Jonny Bairstow as he walked out of his crease. This led to continuous jeering and abuse from local fans towards the Australian players. Vision from inside the long room showed players being yelled at, called cheats, and subjected to derogatory remarks. Usman Khawaja and David Warner even approached one man, prompting security to intervene. Reports suggest that the abuse and physical contact continued as the players made their way to lunch through the members area.
Cricket Australia released a statement requesting the MCC to investigate the incidents, stating, 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 extent of the physical contact has not been revealed, but sources claim that at least one person attempted to trip both Warner and Steve Smith on the stairs leading to lunch. The atmosphere was described as intimidating, reminiscent of a crowded London Tube during rush hour.
The severity of the situation led MCC chief executive Guy Lavender to address the members during lunch, reminding them to respect the players. Khawaja expressed his disappointment, saying, It was very disappointing… But some of the stuff that was coming out of the members’ mouths was really disappointing, and I wasn’t just going to stand by and cop it.
Late in the day, the MCC confirmed that three members had their memberships suspended, emphasizing that there were no suggestions these individuals were involved in the physical contact with players. In a statement, the MCC condemned the behavior, calling it completely unacceptable and apologizing to Cricket Australia.
This incident has raised concerns about the treatment of visiting teams by fans within the members area of the Lord’s Pavilion. While sporting rivalry is expected, it is important to ensure that players are not subjected to abuse or physical harm. The MCC, in collaboration with Cricket Australia, must take appropriate measures to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future and maintain the integrity of the game.
Both teams will now focus on the third Test, set to take place at Headingley. As the series stands, Australia is firmly in control, but with the Ashes being a highly competitive contest, England will be eager to bounce back and stage a comeback. The team and fans alike will hope for a greater display of sportsmanship and respectful behavior throughout the remainder of the series.
