Adam Gilchrist’s two-word attack on England crowd for targeting Mitchell Starc

Adam Gilchrist appeared to hit out a section of the England crowd after they were spotted targeting Aussie bowler Mitchell Starc.

Mitchell Starc was all at sea, searching for a Ben Stokes top edge that was sailing to fine leg.

He had the added distraction of simultaneously trying to keep his bearings on where the boundary rope was – and it didn’t end well.

Starc got his hands to the ball but awkwardly helped it over the rope for six as Australia’s day of misery at The Oval continued.

And boy didn’t the Pommy supporters give it to him.

Mitchell Starc stands and takes his medicine. Pictures: Sky Sports

Several England fans were spotted on their feet, pointing and laughing at Starc’s misfortune in a response that didn’t seem overly out of place in an Ashes series but appeared to push Adam Gilchrist’s buttons as he watched on.

Gilchrist tweeted “grown men” – an apparent attack on the culprits in the crowd.

Grown men.

— Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381) July 29, 2023

The fans in attendance at Edgbaston, Lord’s, Headingley, Old Trafford and The Oval have been relatively well-behaved during the series – outside of the disgraceful actions of the members in the Long Room during the Second Test.

But there has been the occasional lowlight, including during this match when Ricky Ponting was hit with grapes while broadcasting from the side of the field.

Mitchell Starc was targeted by the England crowd after pushing the ball over the rope while attempting to catch Ben Stokes. Pictures: Sky Sports

Usman Khawaja has said he wouldn’t bring his family to a match anymore after the members who verbally abused Australian players at Lord’s were slammed for bringing “shame” on the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC).

The normally sedate London ground erupted in fury following the controversial dismissal of England’s Jonny Bairstow on the last day of the match.

Spectators were incensed by the incident, in which Australia wicketkeeper Alex Carey threw the ball at the stumps after Bairstow walked out of his crease having ducked under a Cameron Green bouncer.

But there was widespread condemnation over the treatment the Australia players received when walking through the pavilion at Lord’s, the headquarters of the MCC.

It was a deeply embarrassing incident for the club, which has responsibility for cricket’s laws and promotes the “spirit of cricket”.

Three members were immediately suspended pending a full investigation.

“The members shown on camera have brought shame on MCC,” chairman Bruce Carnegie-Brown said in an email to members.

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

Carnegie-Brown said the MCC would be taking a “tougher stance” on the behaviour of members.

– with AFP