The thrilling Day 5 of the second Ashes 2023 Test at Lord’s has grabbed everyone’s attention due to Jonny Bairstow’s controversial dismissal. Apart from the on-field tension, the final day also witnessed an ugly verbal fight off the field when Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja engaged in a heated argument with a member of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC).
The incident unfolded when the players were heading back to the dressing room for Lunch after the first session, and an MCC member made a comment regarding Bairstow’s controversial stumping. The remark by the elderly England supporter ignited a discussion that quickly escalated into a heated argument involving Khawaja. The same MCC member also approached David Warner, but their exchange was promptly interrupted by security personnel in an attempt to diffuse the situation.
Following the event, the MCC issued a statement to clarify the entire incident. Khawaja has now shed more light on the matter during an interview with Channel Nine after the conclusion of the game. Expressing his disappointment and disapproval, Khawaja described the incident as disrespectful.
“It was really disappointing. Lord’s is one of my favorite 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. If anyone asked me where the best place is to play I always say Lord’s,” said Khawaja.
Khawaja further revealed the reason behind him losing his cool. The left-handed Aussie opener stated that several MCC members had levied significant allegations, prompting him to halt and engage in a discussion to clarify the matter. However, he admitted that the discussion failed to resolve the issue as the members held onto their views. In the end, Khawaja concluded by expressing his disappointment at witnessing such behaviour from the MCC members.
“The crowd is great, particularly the members are great, and some of the stuff that was coming out of the members’ mouths is really 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,” added the 36-year-old.
