Watch: Usman Khawaja confronted a fan in the Lord’s Long Room as the Australian cricketers made their way in for the lunch break on day five of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s, with members of security involved.
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Players come through the Long Room on their way to the dressing rooms at the ground, with members permitted to stand in the area as the players file through. Khawaja was making his way past the members when he stopped in his tracks, seemingly in response to a comment made in his direction.
He turned to address the an individual in the crowd, talking to them briefly before staff intervened. The security staff put their arms in between Khawaja and the member, and Khawaja started to walk towards the door. However, he then turned back towards the members, with the umpires – who were on their way back from the field – also gently pushing him back. The security staff pushed him back more firmly this time, urging him to go through the door and away from the incident.
At this point David Warner also became involved in the confrontation. He briefly addressed the members before he, too, was pushed through the door. Khawaja continued to point to the member in question before finally turning his back and walking out of the room.
On the Sky Sports Cricket commentary, Eoin Morgan said: “I played my whole career here and I’ve never seen scenes like that, particularly in the Long Room.”
Shortly before the lunch interval, Jonny Bairstow had been dismissed in controversial fashion. Alex Carey had thrown down the stumps as Bairstow walked out of his ground after playing the delivery. Ambiguity over whether the ball had been dead at the time drew boos from the crowd towards Carey and the Australia team as a whole.
After the incident took place, a statement from Cricket Australia was released which said: “Australian management has requested the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) investigate several incidents involving spectators in the members area during lunch on day five of the Lord’s Test.
“It is alleged players and staff from the Australian team were verbally abused, with some being physically contacted, as they made their way to lunch through the members area.”
The MCC then issued an apology, saying: “After this morning’s play, emotions were running high, and words were unfortunately exchanged with some of the Australian team, by a small number of Members. We have unreservedly apologised to the Australian Team.”
Watch: Usman Khawaja confronts fan in Lord’s Long Room after controversial Bairstow dismissal
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
