Ashes 2023: Usman Khawaja caught in ugly confrontation in Lord’s Long Room

The MCC has suspended three members over what happened in the Lord’s pavilion. So what was it that made Usman Khawaja stop and fire back? Watch the video and find out here.

The MCC has suspended three members over allegations of abusive behaviour dished out to Australian players in the Lord’s pavillion during the lunch break on day five of the second Test.

The Aussies claimed they were verbally abused and received unwanted physical contact from MCC members in the wake of Australia’s controversial decision to appeal for the dismissal of Jonny Bairstow after Alex Carey hit the stumps with the ball with Bairstow out of his crease before the ball was deemed dead following a Cameron Green short-ball.

Australia ultimately won the match by 43 runs but not before copping a barrage of boos and chants about being cheaters from large portions of the Lord’s crowd.

But while the Aussies are used to such taunts when playing away, they said they expected more in the pavilion, where patrons stand just centimetres from players as they make their way from the dressing room to the arena.

Usman Khawaja confronts members inside the iconic Lord's Long Room.

Australian captain Pat Cummins was vague on the details of any physical contact received by players.

“I didn’t see or hear any of that (physical stuff). Just verbal from what I saw,” Cummins said.

“The MCC came and apologised for the behaviour of the members. I think some of them might lose their membership over the way they behaved.

“They were quite aggressive and abusive towards some of our players. I know the MCC weren’t too happy.

“Other than that one time they were fantastic all week. The members are usually fantastic, really welcoming. It’s something special about playing at Lord’s. You feel like you’re in a really special place surrounded by people who share a love of the game. I quite like the tradition.”

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

Usman Khawaja, who was shown by broadcast cameras to have confronted some of the members over their conduct, told Channel Nine that the behaviour had been “really disappointing.”

“Lord’s is one of my favourite places to come, there’s so much respect shown at Lord’s particularly in the members pavilion and in the Long Room,” Khawaja said.

“But there wasn’t today. It was very disappointing.

“If anyone asked me where the best place is to play, I always say Lord’s. The crowd is great, particularly the members are great. But some of the stuff that was coming out of members’ mouths was really disappointing.

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

“I wasn’t just going to stand by and cop it. I just talked to a few of them and a few of them were throwing out some pretty big allegations and I just called them up on it. If they kept going, they kept going and I was like ‘it’s your membership here’ so I was just pointing them out.

Australia's Usman Khawaja described the actions of the Lord’s crowd as ‘disrespectful’. Picture: AFP

“It’s pretty disrespectful to be honest. I just expect a lot better from the members.”

The MCC issued a letter to members on Sunday evening (UK time) where chief executive Guy Lavender said the club had suspended the memberships of three members identified as having been involved in incidents, with investigations to come.

“MCC can confirm it has suspended three members identified from earlier today. They will not be permitted back to Lord’s whilst the investigation takes place and were informed of this by MCC Chief Executive, Guy Lavender, this evening,” the club said.

“We maintain that the behaviour of a small number of Members was completely unacceptable and whilst there was no suggestion by Pat Cummins in the post-match press conference that there was any physical altercation, it remains wholly unacceptable to behave in such a way, which goes against the values of the club.

“MCC condemns the behaviour witnessed and once again we re-iterate our apology to Cricket Australia. We are thoroughly disappointed to be talking about poor behaviour when the Long Room, as stated by Pat Cummins himself, is otherwise renowned for being “really welcoming”. It has been a thrilling day to finish off a wonderful five days of Test cricket.”