After Jonny Bairstow’s controversial run-out, the second Ashes Test between England and Australia at Lord’s Cricket Ground witnessed an intense confrontation off the field. As the Australian team went to the dressing room, an altercation occurred in the prestigious Lord’s Long Room, where certain members confronted the touring players. Usman Khawaja, one of the Australian players, has decided to speak up about the incident and shed light on what transpired during the confrontation.
Speaking to Channel Nine, Usman Khawaja expressed his disappointment regarding the Lord’s Long Room incident. He emphasized that Lord’s is one of his favourite venues to play cricket, renowned for its respectful atmosphere, particularly among the members. However, on this occasion, the expected etiquette was not upheld.
Khawaja revealed he couldn’t ignore the disrespectful comments towards the Australian team. He decided to address the allegations made by certain members and defend his team’s integrity. Expressing his disappointment, Khawaja highlighted the importance of maintaining a respectful environment, especially in the Members Pavilion of Lord’s.
“It was disappointing. Lord’s is one of my favourite places to come. There’s always respect shown at Lord’s, particularly in the Members Pavilion in the Long Room, but there wasn’t today. It was very disappointing,” Khawaja told Channel Nine.
In the face of continued accusations from some members, Khawaja pointed out the significance of their membership and the responsibility that comes with it. By challenging the allegations and holding the members accountable for their words, he aimed to remind them of the expectations of behaviour and respect associated with the Lord’s.
“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, and some of the stuff coming out of the members’ mouths is disappointing, and I wasn’t just going stand by and cop it. So I just talked to a few of them. A few of them throwing out some pretty big allegations, and I just called them up on it, and they kept going, and I was like, well, this is your membership here. So I’m just pointing them out. But it’s pretty disrespectful, to be honest. I just expect a lot better from the members,” he added.
ICC World Cup 2023 Schedule Announced, Click Here To Check Full Schedule
Following the incident, Cricket Australia and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) released statements addressing the confrontation in the Long Room. The MCC issued an apology, while Cricket Australia expressed disappointment with the behaviour exhibited by some members. Reports suggest that three members have already been suspended pending further investigation.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining sportsmanship, respect, and decorum both on and off the field. Lord’s has long been revered as a venue that upholds these values, and incidents like this undermine the spirit of the game. Cricketing authorities and fans must work together to uphold the principles that make the sport a symbol of integrity and fair play.
