Sydney (Sports Desk): Former Australian Test cricketer Usman Khawaja has made a significant revelation about an incident during the Lord’s Test in the 2023 Ashes series, claiming that a member of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) directed racist remarks at him following Jonny Bairstow’s controversial run-out.
In his autobiography, Sabr, Khawaja detailed the incident, writing that during the lunch break, as Australian players were returning to the pavilion, some MCC members in the Lord’s Long Room used abusive language and hurled insults at him and his teammates.
Footage broadcast by Sky Sports also showed Khawaja stopping to speak to one of the members. Later, he pointed out another member and informed the stewards about his inappropriate behaviour.
According to Khawaja, at one point he was told to remain silent and shut his mouth. However, he could not say with certainty which member had made the remark.
In his book, Khawaja wrote that the members had revealed their true attitudes and, while abusing the Australian players, had behaved like a crowd of privileged drunks.
Describing the scene, the former Australian opener said those present had joined together in hurling abuse, resembling a pack of dogs preparing to pounce on their prey. He added that initially, he had simply laughed out of surprise and shock at what he was hearing.
It may be recalled that immediately after the Lord’s Test, the MCC suspended three of its members over their inappropriate behaviour. Following the completion of an investigation approximately four months later, one member was expelled from the club, while the other two received suspensions of four and a half years and two and a half years, respectively.