The Ashes series is known for its fierce on-field battles and intense rivalries between England and Australia. However, during the recent match at Lord’s, an ugly confrontation occurred that left cricket fans and players shocked.
Candice, the wife of Australian star cricketer David Warner, has made sensational revelations about the incident that unfolded after the controversial downfall of England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow.
The story that has become part of Ashes folklore revolves around the dismissal of Bairstow, caught off guard by Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey. But the situation escalated beyond the cricketing action and found its way to the lunchroom at Lord’s, where tensions between the teams reached a boiling point.
Candice opened up about her husband David’s side of the story on Fox Sports’ The Back Page. She described the lunchroom at Lord’s as a tiny space with only three tables and a single entry and exit point, leading to unavoidable interactions between the rival teams.
“In the lunchroom, it’s a really tiny room,” Candice said.
“You wouldn’t believe how small it is! There’s three tables, and there’s one way in, there’s one way out, so you’re crossing each other.
“From what I am to believe, the Australian team were sitting on one table, the English team were (on the other side).
According to Candice, Bairstow and David, who had previously played together for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), exchanged heated words during the lunch break.
“Jonny (Bairstow) got up and had a few words, David (Warner) had a few words back at him,” Candice added.
While Bairstow and David were known to have a friendly rapport due to their time together in the IPL, emotions ran high during the Ashes encounter. The incident drew attention to the abuse directed towards the Australian team from the MCC Members, who are typically known for their genteel behaviour.
Candice also expressed her disappointment at the fans reaction to Carey’s controversial stumping of Bairstow, which she described as “pretty disgusting.” She highlighted that the alcohol consumption by the MCC members during the Test was unusually high, as they were allowed to bring in two bottles each, unlike in Australia, where strict regulations are in place.
“It was pretty disgusting, we were in a box on the left hand side of the Members’ Pavilion,” Candice said.
“That whole Test was pretty grubby, to be completely honest. It wasn’t just what was going on there (in the Long Room as players were abused).
“The amount of alcohol that was consumed, you’re allowed to take two bottles in with you unlike in Australia where you obviously cannot.”
The abusive behaviour didn’t end with the match; even after the game, players like Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins faced vile abuse from the supporters while doing media interviews. The situation escalated to the extent that some players were touched and kicked by the boozed-up members, leaving the Australian team deeply disturbed.
Candice explained: “It wasn’t just those images there (where the Aussies walked through the Long Room). It continued two flights of stairs up to the changeroom and two more flights of stairs up to where the boys were having lunch.
Players like Usman Khawaja were also affected by the abuse directed at them. Candice emphasized that such behavior should not be tolerated anywhere in cricket or sports.
Also READ: Usman Khawaja opens up on the Lord’s Long Room abuse
“You don’t want to see that anywhere,” said Mrs Warner.
“There were some players who actually were touched, were kicked. Usman Khawaja was really upset at what was directed at him as well,” she concluded.
The incident has brought attention to the need for maintaining sportsmanship and respect during highly-competitive matches like the Ashes.
