Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has suspended three members for getting into an altercation with Australia players following Jonny Bairstow's controversial dismissal in the second Ashes Test at Lord's on Sunday.
Bairstow was given out when Australia wicketkeeper Alex Carey threw the ball at the stumps after the England batsman walked out of his crease after ducking under a Cameron Green bouncer. There was confusion in the middle, Bairstow seemingly believing the ball was dead at the end of the over, but Australia were happy to proceed with a deeply divisive appeal.
The umpires sent the decision upstairs for review by TV umpire Marais Erasmus, who had no option but to confirm Bairstow's dismissal. Bairstow was livid and the usually sedate Lord's crowd responded by chanting "Same old Aussies, always cheating" while booing rang around the famous old arena for several minutes.
Members in the Lord's Pavilion, the most exclusive part of the ground, confronted the Australia team as they walked through the historic Long Room to get to their dressing room at lunch.
Australia batsmen David Warner and Usman Khawaja were seen stopping to speak to members who were booing before stewards stepped in to usher the players away.
A Cricket Australia spokesman called on MCC to investigate allegations their players were "verbally abused, with some being physically contacted".
Apologising for the incident, MCC said: "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."
Australia captain Pat Cummins admitted it had been a hostile atmosphere in the normally refined environment of the Long Room.
"The crowd made themselves known in the Long Room and in the stands. The MCC apologised for the behaviour for some of the members," he said.
"They were quite aggressive and abusive towards some of our players, which the MCC weren't too happy with ... The members here are normally very welcoming."
MCC secretary and chief executive Guy Lavender later issued an email to the club's 18,000-strong membership where he said the three members "directly involved" had been identified.
"I have written to each of them this evening to advise that their membership rights have been suspended with immediate effect, pending an investigation," he said.
"At the post-match press conference, the captain of the Australian team gave no suggestion that there was any physical altercation."
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England captain Ben Stokes after losing his wicket for 155 at on Day 5 of the second Ashes Test at Lord's, on July 2, 2023. Australia won the match by 43 runs. Reuters -
Australia's captain Pat Cummins, left, with teammates after their win. AP -
England's Josh Tongue is bowled out by Australia bowler Mitchell Starc to seal the win and make it 2-0 in the series. PA -
Australia's Steve Smith commiserates England captain Ben Stokes after his 155. Reuters -
Australia's Josh Hazlewood celebrates after dismissing Ben Stokes of England. Getty -
Australia's Steve Smith drops a Ben Stokes shot. PA -
England's Ben Stokes strikes the ball for six runs during day five of the second Ashes test match at Lord's, London. Picture date: Sunday July 2, 2023. PA Photo. See PA Story CRICKET England. Photo credit should read: Mike Egerton/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. No commercial use without prior written consent of the ECB. Still image use only. No moving images to emulate broadcast. No removing or obscuring of sponsor logos. -
Steven Smith of Australia watches as a Ben Stokes shot goes for six. Getty -
England captain Ben Stokes celebrates reaching a century. PA -
England's Ben Stokes loses control of his bat as he hits a shot. Getty -
Australia's Pat Cummins and Alex Carey celebrate the wicket of Jonny Bairstow. Getty -
England's Jonny Bairstow after his controversial run out. Getty -
Australia wicketkeeper Alex Carey runs out Jonny Bairstow of England. Getty -
England captain Ben Stokes hits a six. His 155 came off 214 balls. AP -
Australia's Josh Hazlewood celebrates taking the wicket of England batter Ben Duckett. AFP -
England's Ben Stokes plays a shot. Reuters -
England's Ben Stokes celebrates reaching his half-century. Reuters -
England's Ben Duckett plays a shot on his way to 83. PA
Relations between the two sides were already fraught, with the Australians left fuming on Saturday when Mitchell Starc thought he had caught opener Ben Duckett, only to see the dismissal overturned as the ball hit the ground.
Following Bairstow's exit, Stuart Broad, the batsman who next came in, immediately let his frustrations show as the stump microphone caught him telling Carey: "That's all you'll ever be remembered for that."
Broad, who was embroiled in his own 'spirit of the game' controversy when he refused to walk during the 2013 Ashes, also told Australia captain Cummins: "That's the worst thing I've ever seen in cricket".
Veteran paceman Broad mockingly tapped his bat in his crease after each delivery to ensure he didn't depart the same way as Bairstow.
England captain Ben Stokes went on to smash 155 to give his side hope of a stunning victory, but Australia eventually won by 43 runs to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series as they bid to retain the Ashes.
