02 July 2023 , 14:19
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Australian batsman Usman Khawaja was led away by security in the Lord's Long Room during the fiery second Ashes Test, with the country's cricket board demanding an investigation after he was confronted by a spectator in the member's area.
Khawaja became embroiled in a spat at lunch shortly after Jonny Bairstow had been controversially dismissed.
Chasing 371 to win and level the series, England were 193 for five when Bairstow ducked under a bouncer from Cameron Green, tapped the crease and began to walk down to prod the pitch. However, Australia wicketkeeper Alex Carey sent an under-arm throw in after catching the ball, leaping for joy as he hit the stumps and the visitors proceeded with a deeply divisive appeal as Bairstow was given out stumped.
A crowd of almost 32,000 – taking advantage of reduced £25 tickets – in Lords sang in unison: "Same old Aussies, always cheating." Stuart Broad, who replaced Bairstow at the crease made his feelings clear, telling Carey, as picked up on the stump mic: "You'll forever be remembered for that." He also told Aussie skipper Pat Cummins and Marnus Labuschagne: "That's the worst thing I've ever seen in cricket."
As the Australia players walked back to the dressing room, they were greeted by loud boos by the England supporters inside the Long Room - and it was a reception that Khawaja clearly didn't appreciate.
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The 36-year-old decided to approach one spectator in particular. He exchanged a few words with the fan, before having to be dragged away by security as tensions rose at the Home of Cricket. The Australia players then walked into the changing room and had lunch as they prepared for the afternoon session.
The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) issued an apology to the Australia players on Sunday afternoon, declaring: "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."
But they also insisted: "It was not necessary to eject anyone from the ground."
It's unclear what was said to cause Usman Khawaja to stop (Sky Sports)However, that doesn't seem to have been enough for Cricket Australia chiefs, who have the requested the MCC investigate several incidents involving spectators in the members area.
Former England white-ball skipper Eoin Morgan was left stunned by what occurred inside, saying: “I arrived here as a 16-year-old kid and I was lucky to have played my whole career here and I’ve never seen scenes like that, particularly in the Long Room, never mind all the way around the ground.
“It was a huge sense of frustration but I can’t understand why. It’s complete naivety around what’s happened with Jonny Bairstow’s dismissal. He’s stumped!”
On Twitter, Piers Morgan slammed Australia. "You cannot be serious??!!" avid cricket fan Morgan tweeted. "Australia, that is pathetic. How can you possibly want to win an Ashes Test match like that?"
Meanwhile, former England star Eoin Morgan told Sky Sports: "Wow.. Aussies getting into angry confrontations with booing MCC members as they return to the pavilion. Never seen that.. but then I've seen an Australia side show so little regard for 'spirit of the game' in an Ashes Test."
Ex-England captain Michael Atherton admitted that the decision was ultimately correct, stating on Sky Sports that Bairstow was ran out: "Controversially so, but not unfairly so."