Fresh details of ugly Ashes clash emerge as authorities take action

Fresh details have emerged after Australia’s players were abused by Lord’s members in a “physical” confrontation in the Second Test.

Sing it together Australia, “Same old England, always losing”. Or perhaps, “Same old England, always whingeing”.

But seriously, breathe a giant sigh of relief this morning after we narrowly escaped another Ben Stokes-inflicted Ashes disaster in the Second Test overnight Sunday.

Stokes blasted 155, including nine sixes, and looked like delivering England another miracle win in the same mould as his heroics at Headingley in 2019.

But Australia - especially Steve Smith who dropped Stokes before he’d reached his century - were spared embarrassment when the 371-run chase proved too big for the hosts.

Stokes fell with 70 runs left in the chase and the end came quickly from that point as Australia secured a 43-run win.

Josh Hazlewood celebrates after taking the wicket of England player Ben Stokes. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Now for the juicy bit. England was 5/193 when Jonny Bairstow was dismissed in hugely controversial circumstances.

Bairstow had watched a Cameron Green delivery sail behind him into the gloves of Alex Carey and began to walk down the pitch thinking the ball was dead.

But Carey threw down the stumps and Bairstow was given out, sparking a furious reaction from the England players, crowd and even the Lord’s members - who clashed with the Aussies at the lunch break.

Cricket Australia called for an investigation, describing the interaction as “physical”, and prompting the MCC to issue an apology.

But new vision emerged of Carey and other Australian players being abused as they walked back to the dressing room in scenes veteran cricket scribe Peter Lalor described as “disgraceful”.

Let's have a look at what the elite MCC members have to say

As it's not on the Western Terrace nothing will be done. pic.twitter.com/mzb4XF6agp

— ꜱɪʀ ꜰʀᴇᴅ ʙᴏʏᴄᴏᴛᴛ (@FredBoycott) July 2, 2023

The MCC reportedly suspended three members pending an investigation into the incident.

AAP’s Scott Bailey reports that the abuse involved expletives, as Australian players were called a “disgrace” and “liars”.

Two players were allegedly tripped by members in the Long Room as they made their way up the race for the lunch interval.

The controversy had the London crowd singing “same old Aussies, always cheating” for the remainder of the contest and led to some predictable complaining from the Poms post-match.

“Would I have wanted to win a game in that manner? The answer for me is no,” Stokes said.

“It has marred today,” former England captain Alastair Cook said. “Everyone has a bitter taste in their mouth.”

Asked if the day’s play would change the relationship between the teams, England coach Brendon McCullum said: “I can’t imagine we’ll be having a beer any time soon!”

But it was Pat Cummins’ men singing last as they belted out “Under the Southern Cross I Stand” and the Aussies will take a 2-0 lead into the Third Test at Leeds in three days time.

pic.twitter.com/YNBCwZZ1An

— Daniel Cherny (@DanielCherny) July 2, 2023

Continue reading for all the thrilling action as it happened.

1.10am - Starc strikes the final blow

Mitchell Starc joined Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood with three wickets for the innings when he knocked over Josh Tongue to secure the victory.

Tongue (19) put on 25 runs for the final wicket with Jimmy Anderson (three not out) to earn a few cheers from the crowd before missing one and getting bowled.

12.45am - Anderson struck by Starc bouncer

Australia wasn’t taking any chances as it pressed for the final wicket, targeting Jimmy Anderson with short-pitched bowling.

It got ugly when Mitchell Starc connected with the tailender’s helmet, but he was able to continue after a concussion test.

Aussie cricket great Ricky Ponting said “if you’re out there”, you’re fair game.

“I understand they (tailenders) can’t defend themselves as well as top order batters can - but I don’t think the bowling should have to change as a result of that,” Ponting said.

12.30am - Broad’s brave knock ends

He had way too much to say to Alex Carey, but Stuart Broad deserved the applause he got from the crowd as he departed for 11 runs from 36 balls.

Those numbers don’t explain the importance of his knock as he partnered with Ben Stokes for a 108-run partnership before it all fell apart for England.

But in the end it doesn’t look like being enough after Broad was caught in the deep by Cameron Green to give Josh Hazlewood his third scalp.

12.20am - Steve Smith makes amends

It’s looking really hard for England now after Steve Smith partly made up for dropping Ben Stokes by grasping Ollie Robinson in the deep.

Pat Cummins’ third wicket of the innings left England 8/302 - still 69 runs short.

12.15am - Stokes is gone!

Advantage Australia.

Two-and-a-half hours of pure misery for Aussie cricket fans is over after Ben Stokes finally played another false shot.

The England hero was 155 from 214 balls when he miscued off the bowling of Josh Hazlewood and presented a skied shot for Alex Carey to run under.

It’s now up to the English tail to find the remaining 70 runs for victory.

12.10am - England win feeling inevitable

Ben Stokes and Stuart Broad made it to drinks in the second session with the game in England’s control for the first time since the coin toss.

Stokes has passed 150 as he puts together an innings even more impressive than his miracle ton at Headingley in 2019 and Broad has been a willing partner.

Australia’s hopes are fading fast as they desperately search for a wicket.

11.44pm — CA call for investigation over Long Room confrontation

The ugly scenes at lunch have escalated with Cricket Australia calling for an investigation into the drama.

“Australian management has requested the MCC investigate several incidents involving spectators in the members area...it is alleged players and staff from the Australian team were verbally abused, with some being physically contacted.”

The MCC responded with the following statement: “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.”

11.09pm — Hazlewood goes for 19 in an over

The Aussies have now only got just over 100 runs to defend after the 60th over went for 19 runs from Josh Hazlewood.

Bowling short on leg stump, Ben Stokes hit Hazlewood for two sixes and a single, before Stuart Broad crushed a six of his own.

Aussie captain Ricky Ponting blashed the tactics, saying “This is all wrong” as Hazlewood didn’t push the ball across Stokes but put it right in his hitting zone.

10.58pm — Steve Smith drops a sitter

Ben Stokes smashed a six off the second ball after lunch but has been gifted a life when a short ball off the fourth ball of the over was top edged with Steve Smith dropping what should have been a sitter.

The Lord’s crowd was happy about it, letting Smith know he’d dropped it.

Still 122 runs for England to score but how many more chances will Stokes give.

10.40pm — ‘Never seen scenes like that’

Everything is getting a little bit heated at Lord’s as both Usman Khawaja and David Warner had to be pulled away from the crowd in the Long Room as it got ugly as the Aussies left the field.

Usman Khawaja was pulled back by security after speaking to one the members inside the long room 😳

🗣️ "I've NEVER seen scenes like that!" pic.twitter.com/2RnjiNssfw

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 2, 2023

As Australia walked through the Long Room, Khawaja looked about to head into the Aussie rooms when he turned around and shared words with an elderly fan.

Officials stepped in and moved Khawaja on but Warner took up the fight, needing to be pushed away by security.

Former England white-ball skipper Eoin Morgan said it was unthinkable scenes.

“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,” Morgan said.

“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!”

Usman Khawaja, David Warner and other members of the Australian team clashed with Lord's members as they left the field at lunch. Pictures: Channel 9

Ricky Ponting was getting booed as well and joked he’d have to go behind the Sky Sports truck.

“I’ve either got to go behind the cart or I’ll go over the fence — probably safer to go behind the cart,” he laughed.

On Channel 9, Callum Ferguson said: “It’s got a little bit nasty at times. What’s coming from the crowd is quite vicious from the Australians.”

“Long Room turns on The Australians. Incredible scenes,” tweeted veteran cricket scribe Peter Lalor.

10.13pm — Ben Stokes does it again

Australia still need four wickets but Ben Stokes is once again proving to be the thorn in Australia’s side.

Since the Bairstow wicket, Stokes has teed off, bringing up his hundred with three straight sixes off Cameron Green.

He was lucky to survived the second six with Mitchell Starc dropping the ball over the rope at fine leg.

But it goes in the books as a hundred for Stokes and Australia needs the English captain’s scalp sooner rather than later.

And now they’ve brought up a 50 run partnership with Broad adding 1 off 8 balls as Stokes teed off.

9.45pm — ‘That is pathetic’: World rages over Aussie act

Australia sparked a firestorm. Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images

Australia have claimed what is set to be the most unpopular dismissal of the series with Jonny Bairstow run out in wild scenes.

After ducking a bouncer, Bairstow left his crease, with Aussie keeper Alex Carey throwing down the stumps.

Crazy run out, jonny bairstow missed a trick here.👀#Ashes23#Bazballhttps://t.co/Vw8HPdcdjn

— Yr Samar (@Yrtweets) July 2, 2023

The reaction was swift in the crowd as the home fans booed the appeal as the call went upstairs.

It got even louder when the third umpire gave it out.

And the Barmy Army chanted: “Same old Aussies, always cheating”.

Mark Taylor explained that “the ball was not dead” and pointed to footage of Bairstow walking out of his crease before the over was called.

But that didn’t stop England from losing their collective minds over the dismissal.

England fast bowler and Ashes villain Stuart Broad said to Marnus Labuschagne: “It’s the worst thing I’ve ever seen in cricket, that.”

You cannot be serious??!!
Australia, that is pathetic. How can you possibly want to win an Ashes Test match like that?

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 2, 2023

Former Aussie spinner Brad Hogg also agreed it wasn’t a great look.

“Bairstow wicket, Not Out. Spirit of cricket pushed to the boundary. Not attempting a run, end of over, scratched crease then walked for the regulation BS chat between overs between batsman,” he wrote.

ABC’s Jim Maxwell said: “It leaves a bad taste in the mouth all that. They should have withdrawn the appeal.”

Former England captain Michael Atherton disagreed with Hogg however, saying it was “dozy” cricket from Bairstow.

In Australia, the reaction was much different.

The Sydney Morning Herald’s Andrew Wu said: “No way the ball was dead”, pointing to the laws of cricket of which “20.1 Ball is dead” states “20.1.1 The ball becomes dead when / 20.1.1.1 it is finally settled in the hands of the wicket-keeper or of the bowler”.

He added “20.2 Ball finally settled” which states “Whether the ball is finally settled or not is a matter for the umpire alone to decide”.

Don’t blame the Aussies for appealing……blame Bairstow for going for a little wonder outside his crease. Rule 33.3 was enforced yesterday. Let’s not go lenient on any others today.

— Peter Psaltis (@peterp79) July 2, 2023

Laws of the game good enough yesterday, good enough today.
Sorry chaps.

— Adam Peacock (@adampeacock3) July 2, 2023

Funny how the ‘letter of law’ was fine with the Starc catch yesterday https://t.co/bFS5PvYcHe

— Dan Ginnane (@DanGinnane) July 2, 2023

Since then the Barmy Army have loudly cheered every single run and booed Australia in between.

9.08pm — We got one!

Ben Duckett is out for 83 after gloving a Josh Hazlewood ball through to Alex Carey.

It came straight after drinks as the big quick got the bouncer just short enough to catch the gloves.

Carey took an excellent catch, leaping high to bring Australia back into the game.

9.08pm — England need less than 200

Ben Stokes is doing it again.

The England captain is on 55 with Ben Duckett on 81.

But at drinks, the hosts need 197 runs to win — and Australia still need six wickets.

The Aussie quicks have hardly looked at all threatening on day 5 and England are seemingly on cruise control.

8.48pm — England make it uncomfortable

This is getting ominous now.

Ben Stokes has reached 50, straight after he and Ben Duckett had their 100 run stand.

The equation is now 216 runs, which could start getting uncomfortable if the Aussie bowlers can’t make some inroads soon.

8.34pm — Thank god for the DRS

Australia thought it had nabbed the first wicket of the day with Mitchell Starc bowling a beauty of an inswinger to seeming trap Ben Stokes plumb.

Except for the fact the English captain smashed it.

The ball took umpire Ahsan Raza and age to decided on, ultimately lifting his finger.

Without even looking, Stokes reviewed it and was quickly found to have thumped it into his pads.

Although the Aussies would have loved to claim the wicket, it would have left a bad taste in the mouth to have such an egregiously bad call.

7pm — ‘Pathetic’: England are a ‘laughing stock’

It appears England’s bark is worse than their bite as the Poms were utterly savaged after seemingly abandoning Bazball at the first sign of trouble.

Bazball has taken the world by storm after the entertaining T20-style cricket worked for the Poms — until they came up against Australia.

England have been crushed by their own legends for throwing their wickets away and losing the first Test despite having many chances to win it while Australia has been running its own race.

Stokes gets a taste of his own medicine. Photo by Ian Kington / AFP

So when England deliver the shortest average length session of fast bowling in CricViz history in the morning session yesterday — followed by a middle session where they wouldn’t even bowl at Nathan Lyon’s stumps despite him batting outside leg stump and only having one leg, requiring him to hop the length of the pitch.

The tactical change worked however as Australia lost most of their wickets to the short balls.

For the record, Australia took 9/137 after going short in the first innings but also haven’t spruiked their cult-like message about Bazball.

According to Sky Sports, 98 per cent of balls in the afternoon session were “short” as CricViz said just 10 landed on “good” length or fulled in the session.

“I’m finding this hard to watch,” former England captain Andrew Strauss said on Sky Sports.

“It’s just not a great advert for cricket in my mind.”

Mark Taylor called it “dull, boring cricket” and a “bounceathon”.

England went all short, all the time. Photo by Ian Kington / AFP

Former Seven journalist and Sydney Swans head of media Tom Chadwick joined the chorus of criticism against England.

“What a pathetic display of cricket this is by England,” he tweeted.

“Claim to be revolutionaries when boundaries are hit on their terms

“Now complete cowards and bowling bouncers and unplayable crap and boring us to tears.

“Until we win.

“They’re a laughing stock.”

Comedian and cricket statistician Andy Zaltzman wrote: “49 consecutive overs of bouncers. Australia have lost 7 for 116. England have given themselves a chance, the only way they could possibly have done. It’s been the least entertaining cricket I have ever watched.”

Before the second Test began, Sir Geoffrey Boycott was scathing against his own nation.

“England have got carried away with Bazball and seem to think entertaining is more important than winning,” he wrote in The Telegraph.

“But England supporters want one thing more than anything else – to win the Ashes.”

England have now realised that but it may be too late.