MCC Expulsion of one member and suspension of two members

The Marylebone Cricket Club has expelled one member and suspended two others following altercations with Australia players at Lord’s during the second Ashes Test in July.

Footage showed words exchanged between spectators in the Long Room and Usman Khawaja and David Warner of Australia.

Anger was sparked when England’s Jonny Bairstow was controversially stumped by Australia wicketkeeper Alex Carey.

An appeal process did take place but has already concluded.

They were all found to have used “abusive, offensive or inappropriate behaviour or language” with one member given a four-and-a-half-year suspension and the other serving 30 months.

In a statement, the MCC said: “The actions of the three individuals in the pavilion on the day in question fell well below the behaviour expected from our members.”

The incident, which took place on 2 July, came as Australia walked off for lunch on day five of the second Test.

Tempers flared after Carey threw down the stumps to dismiss Bairstow, who left his crease after seemingly believing the ball was dead at the end of the 52nd over in England’s second innings.

Australia’s players were booed and players from both sides exchanged words as they walked off the field before Khawaja and Warner appeared to be confronted by members.

The MCC said it had apologised “unreservedly” before confirming it had suspended three members identified from the incident pending an investigation.

It was initially understood that the individuals would not be able to challenge the decision, but an appeal process was permitted and has already concluded.

Australia asked the MCC to investigate, initially saying players had been “physically contacted” as well as verbally abused.

Based at Lord’s, which it owns, the MCC acts as custodian and arbiter of the laws and spirit of cricket.

Batter Khawaja called the comments “disrespectful” while Australia captain Pat Cummins said he thought some members would lose their memberships.

“MCC came and apologised for the behaviour of some of the members,” said Cummins after the incident.

“I think some of them might lose their memberships over the way they behaved. Other than that one time, they were fantastic all week. Normally fantastic, really welcoming.

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