Members at Lord’s won’t get close to players after second Test furore

Australia’s women’s team can claim their Ashes series at Lord’s where members won’t get close to them after ugly behaviour in the second Test.

Members at Lord’s will be ushered away from players when they enter and exit the ground via the Long Room after unruly patrons brought “shame” on the MCC with their behaviour during the second Ashes Test.

Australia’s women’s team is set to play at the ground for the first time in a decade in the third T20 of their own Ashes series on Sunday morning and a packed house is expected for what captain Alyssa Healy said was a huge moment for her side.

It will be the first game at the venue since three MCC members were suspended and others put on notice following ugly scenes where Australian players, including Usman Khawaja, were abused as they headed to the changerooms during an emotion-charged game.

Video footage from inside the famed Long Room showed the vitriol sent towards the Australians who were called “cheats” across multiple levels as they climbed the stairs following the controversial stumping of English batter Jonny Bairstow.

Long Room turns on The Australians. Incredible scenes. https://t.co/jM7Zvt5kS4

— Peter Lalor (@plalor) July 2, 2023

In a lengthy letter to its members, MCC chair Bruce Carnegie-Brown was hugely critical of the behaviour.

“The members shown on camera have brought shame on MCC,” Carnegie-Brown said.

“Their actions hinder our efforts to promote the positive things our club does to promote and celebrate the game of cricket.

“Their actions inhibit our ability to carry out our role as guardian of the laws of cricket and the spirit of cricket.”

MCC chief executive Mark Lavender said the privilege of getting so close to players would be impacted for future games and they would instead be ushered away.

“We will be restricting members‘ access in and around the stairwells at times when the teams are coming on or off the pitch,” Lavender said.

“During those periods, members will be required to wait at the ground floor or top floor level, with no access to either staircase.

“The club will be taking a tougher stance on the general behaviour of members. We expect members not only to heed the words of our stewards in this regard but to police one another‘s behaviour.

“It is unacceptable for any of us to point the finger of blame at others unless we are willing to intervene ourselves when we see behaviours which fall short of what is expected of members.”

MCC Statement.#Ashespic.twitter.com/fWYdzx1uhD

— Marylebone Cricket Club (@MCCOfficial) July 2, 2023

Healy’s team will look to seal their Ashes series at Lord’s where the Aussies last played in 2013.

Having attracted huge crowds for the opening two T20s, Healy said returning to Lord’s was a “special occasion” not just for her team but for the women’s game.

“This Ashes series has been an amazing one so far, playing at the biggest grounds in the country,” Healy said following the second game, won by England.

“People are wanting to turn up and watch because they know what they‘re going to get.

“To tick Lord’s off will be a really special occasion for the girls who get that opportunity … (and) I am sure that the girls that aren’t playing (that match), there will be plenty more opportunities in future Ashes series. They have set the benchmark now, which is great.”

Australia leads 6-2 on points in the multi-format series and needs to win just one of the final four matches to retain the Ashes.