Khawaja and David Warner were shown on TV footage getting into a heated exchange with MCC members as the Australians went to their dressing room at lunch, with the stewards having to intervene. Speaking afterwards to Channel Nine, Khawaja said that it was “really disappointing and I wasn’t just going to stand by and cop it”.
“It was really disappointing,” Khawaja said. “Lord’s is one of my favorite places to come. There’s always respect shown at Lord’s particularly in the Members Pavilion in the Long Room, but there wasn’t today. It was very disappointing.
Related
MCC clarifies why Mitchell Starc catch of Ben Duckett was given not out
-
Ashes finds its flashpoint as Bairstow stumping ignites England
-
Australia survive a staggering 155 from Stokes to take 2-0 Ashes lead
“If anyone asked me where the best place is to play I always say Lord’s, the crowd is great, particularly the members are great, and some of the stuff that was coming out of the members’ mouths is really disappointing and I wasn’t just going stand by and cop it. So I just talked to a few of them. A few of them throwing out some pretty big allegations and I just called them up on it and they kept going, and I was like, well, this is your membership here. So I’m just pointing them out. But it’s pretty disrespectful to be honest. I just expect a lot better from the members.”
Tempers flared at Lord’s after Bairstow was given out when Alex Carey threw down the stumps with the batter having left his crease for the end of the over – but without the ball having been called dead. Booing was heard around the ground, and continued for the rest of the game, though Australia’s captain, Pat Cummins, said afterwards that it was within the Laws and “totally fair play”.
“MCC came and apologised for the behaviour of some of the members,” Cummins added in his post-match press conference. “I think some of them might lose their memberships over the way they behaved. Other than that one time, they were fantastic all week. Normally fantastic, really welcoming. Something special about playing at Lord’s. I quite like the tradition.
“I think they were just quite aggressive and abusive towards some of our players which I know the MCC weren’t too happy with.”
Asked about the Bairstow dismissal, Khawaja said: “It’s is what it is. We copped the same thing at Edgbaston. Obviously it’s a little different here. It’s disappointing, to say the least. You know, we always try to play the cricket, in our best spirits, and we’ve said since Patty has taken over, since Andrew McDonald has taken over, winning is as important as how we win.
Both Cricket Australia and MCC released statements in response to events in the Long Room. A Cricket Australia spokesperson said: “Australian management has requested the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) 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.”
An MCC spokesperson 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.
“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.”
Source: ESPN Crickinfo