An English cricket fan’s lifetime ban following an incident involving Australian players during the 2023 Ashes Test at Lord’s could be overturned, despite the tough sanction initially imposed for his “totally unacceptable” behavior in the Long Room.
The MCC immediately suspended three members on the day of the incident after the behavior – which followed the dismissal of Jonny Bairstow at a crucial moment during the match – was caught on camera and called out by Pat Cummins after the match.
A four-month investigation found that each of these members received suspensions due to the varying severity of the allegation of “offensive, insulting or inappropriate behavior or language”.
One received a two-and-a-half-year ban, a second received a four-and-a-half-year ban and a third was expelled from the club. That expulsion is now subject to review, he said a report in the Sydney Morning Herald on Monday.
However, Usman Khawaja – who was targeted by the unruly fans – said he would not seek to challenge for a more lenient punishment if the member in question has learned from the experience.
“I’m a big believer in second chances, as long as you learn from your mistakes,” he told the newspaper.
The Long Room at Lord’s is unusual in world cricket as it requires players to pass close to members on their way between the playing field and the dressing room.
At the start of the lunch break on day five of the controversial 2023 match and just after Bairstow’s dismissal, Khawaja and teammate David Warner stopped during the barrage of abuse and challenged the members on their behaviour.
The MCC, founded in 1787, owns Lord’s and describes itself as the guardian of the rules of the game.
Footage of the incident showed security restraining members who were shouting and arguing at the Australian players.
“If these guys have learned from their mistakes and never start mocking players walking 12 inches away from their faces, that’s fine,” Khawaja said.
“But there has to be some kind of remorse and understanding and that’s up to the MCC. I’m all for second chances, I’m not a man who holds grudges, but I do think you have to learn from your mistakes and avoid doing them again.”
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The members were widely condemnedalthough the inappropriate behavior was not limited to the three who received punishment. Chants of “cheat, cheat, cheat” could be heard in the stairwells as Australia returned to the dressing room.
The then CEO of the MCC, Guy Lavender, addressed the Long Room immediately after the incident and subsequently apologized to the Australian team.
“We allege that the behavior of a small number of members was completely unacceptable and although Pat Cummins did not suggest at the post-match press conference that there was any physical altercation, it remains completely unacceptable to behave in such a manner, which is contrary to the club’s values,” he said in a statement.
“MCC condemns the behavior observed and we reiterate our apologies to Cricket Australia. We are deeply disappointed that we are talking about poor behavior when the Long Room, as Pat Cummins himself has stated, is otherwise known for being ‘very hospitable’.”
The organization has taken steps to better control members in the area, including widening the players’ access path and limiting access to the stairwells.
The first Ashes Test since the controversial 2023 series starts on November 21 in Perth.
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