The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has suspended three members over altercations with the Australian team in the Lord’s Long Room following Jonny Bairstow’s stumping on the final day of the second Test.
The MCC had earlier “unreservedly apologised” to the Australian team for the behaviour of some of its members, who allegedly verbally abused several visiting players as they made their way to the dressing room at lunch on Sunday.
Television footage showed openers Usman Khawaja and David Warner involved in a heated exchange with spectators in the Long Room, which is an area reserved only for MCC members and their guests.
“Further to the earlier statement, MCC can confirm it has suspended three Members identified from earlier today (Sunday). 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,” the MCC said in a statement late on Sunday.
Khawaja irked
Talking to Channel Nine about the incident after the match, a “disappointed” Khawaja slammed the disrespectful behaviour towards his team.
“If anyone asked me where the best place is to play I always say Lord’s... some of the stuff that was coming out of the members’ mouths is really disappointing and I wasn’t just going to stand by and cop it. So I just talked to a few of them... It’s pretty disrespectful, to be honest. I just expect a lot better from the members.”
