Following an altercation with the Australian team in Lord’s Long Room, MCC suspends three players
The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has suspended three players after the confrontation between Australian players and fans in the Lord’s Long Room on the fifth day of the second Ashes Test. These players will not be allowed to return to the stadium while an inquiry into their alleged behavior is ongoing.
Usman Khawaja and David Warner, two Australian cricketers, were seen arguing with other patrons at the Long Room, and Cricket Australia took exception. Following CA’s request for an inquiry, MCC issued a statement denouncing the incident.
A spokeswoman added, “MCC can confirm it has suspended three Members identified from earlier today.” They were notified by MCC Chief Executive Guy Lavender this evening that they would not be allowed to return to Lord’s while the inquiry is ongoing.
Although Pat Cummins did not imply there was a physical altercation during the post-match press conference, “We maintain that the behavior of a small number of Members was completely unacceptable. It is still unacceptable to behave in such a way, which goes against the values of the Club. The MCC expresses its condemnation of the behavior shown and reiterates its apologies to Cricket Australia.
The altercation involving spectators jeering the Australian squad seems to have been started by Jonny Bairstow’s expulsion during the morning session.
The team management has asked MCC to look into “several incidents” involving fans in the Long Room during the lunch break while Australian players were going back to their changing rooms, according to a CA representative.
“The Marylebone Cricket Club [MCC] has been asked by Australian management to look into a number of events involving fans at lunch on day five of the Lord’s Test. The Australian team’s players and staff allegedly encountered physical and verbal abuse as they passed through the members area on their way to lunch, according to CA.
MCC apologized to the Australian team for the behavior before suspending the players.
“The Long Room is unique in all of cricket, and it is a huge honor for players to travel through the pavilion. A small number of players sadly exchanged words with several of the Australian squad after this morning’s game, according to a statement from MCC.
“We sincerely regret any inconvenience caused to the Australian team, and we will take disciplinary action against any team member who fails to uphold the standards we demand. The statement continued, “I am happy to report that there was no recurrence of this when the players returned the field for this afternoon’s practice. It was not required to evict anybody from the ground.
