Lord’s member ejected from prestigious pavilion for sledging Steve Smith

The abuse of Steve Smith has been relentless during the Ashes but the Empire has finally struck back — ruling these two words went too far.

Steve Smith walks out to bat during day four. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

The prestigious Marylebone Cricket Club ejected one of its own members from Lord’s after he hurled verbal abuse at Steve Smith in the famed Long Room of the pavilion.

The incident occurred when Smith was walking from the field after making a brave 92 having returned to the middle after a 40-minute break after being hit in the neck by Jofra Archer.

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According to a report by The Cricketer the unidentified member called Smith a “cheat and a disgrace” as he made his way back to the Australia dressing room.

It is believed to be the first time a member has been thrown out of the Lord’s pavilion as a result of misconduct.

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Prospective MCC members must sit on an 18-year waiting list to join and at the club’s AGM earlier this year a code of conduct was introduced to stamp out poor behaviour.

Although there was generally warm applause for Smith after he was dismissed by Chris Woakes on Saturday, there were a smattering of boos around the ground and they were roundly condemned by commentators including Shane Warne, Michael Vaughan, Mark Taylor and Ian Healy.

“Just get up, clap and say that’s courageous, very brave,” Warne said in commentary.

I get the pantomime of @stevesmith49 arrival to the crease and the booing but please stop booing once he plays with great skill,courage and incredible discipline !!! he deserves a standing ovation for that innings ... #Ashes #Lords

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) August 17, 2019

Taylor, who was at the ground in his pundit role for Nine, said the booing was “very disappointing”, while colleague Healy went a step further. “It was disgusting,” Healy said. “Lord’s won’t be happy with that either. They don’t like any ‘yobbo’ element of crowd behaviour.”

Steve Smith leaves the field after his innings of 92. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

The Australian Cricketers Association also issued a statement criticising the crowd.

“What was unwelcome and incorrect was the sound of booing of an injured player,” president Greg Dyer said.

“Cricket deserves much better than that. And Lord’s, the home of cricket, deserves much better than that also.

“What we witnessed was bravery from an outstanding young man. It should be commended, not vilified.”

Dyer said it was time the booing came to an end. “Over the English summer, generally the crowds have been terrific and really added to the contest. But when someone is hurt, yet the boos continue, it’s time to call ‘enough’,” he said.

“At any rate, the players have already served the toughest penalties in the history of cricket. Surely it is time to move forward.”

Smith, who was ruled out of the Lord’s Test due to concussion, and David Warner have been booed by crowds ever since arriving in England in May ahead of the Cricket World Cup.

It follows their return to cricket from their year-long bans following the ball tampering incident in South Africa.

Asked about the booing after play, Australian coach Justin Langer was initially at a loss for words and simply raised both his arms up in a “what can I do?” type gesture.

“What can I say? Whatever I say — I’ve spoken enough about the boos, there’s nothing we can do about the boos,” he said.

“I think people have been showing great admiration for Steve Smith from the moment he arrived in England until now, there is also a lot of people standing and applauding him.

“So there’s a few people who might have been doing that (booing), but there’s nothing we can do about that.”

Steve Smith is struck by a delivery from Jofra Archer. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

But England bowler Woakes chose not to condemn the noise. “People are entitled to do as they wish, that’s up to them and what they feel is necessary,” Woakes said.

“What they think as a person is right and wrong. For Steve to come out, having been hit the way he was, does show some courage and character.”

— with AAP