Three members of the Marylebone Cricket Club were suspended for ‘completely unacceptable behaviour’ after yesterday’s Ashes Test.
Spectators clashed with the Australian players in the club’s Long Room during the break for lunch.
Footage also emerged of players being heckled as they returned to the dressing room, with some members repeatedly shouting ‘cheat’ and ‘get the sandpaper’ at Australian sportsmen as they walked past the Long Room bar.
Tempers became fray at Lord’s over the weekend after Australia were accused of having broken the spirit of the game after their wicketkeeper Alex Carey controversially stumped England’s Jonny Bairstow.
In a statement, MCC said that three members were told they had been suspended by the club’s chief executive, and that they would not be allowed to return to the grounds while an investigation was ongoing.
It said: “MCC can confirm it has suspended three Members identified from earlier today. They will not be permitted back to Lord’s whilst the investigation takes place and were informed of this by MCC Chief Executive, Guy Lavender, this evening.
“We maintain that the behaviour of a small number of Members was completely unacceptable and whilst there was no suggestion by Pat Cummins in the post-match press conference that there was any physical altercation, it remains wholly unacceptable to behave in such a way, which goes against the values of the Club.
“MCC condemns the behaviour witnessed and once again we re-iterate our apology to Cricket Australia. We are thoroughly disappointed to be talking about poor behaviour when the Long Room, as stated by Pat Cummins himself, is otherwise renowned for being “really welcoming”. It has been a thrilling day to finish off a wonderful five days of Test cricket.”
One member of the club said he wanted to see those involved in the altercation permanently banned.
He wrote: “I’m a member of the MCC and I want to see this collection of thoroughly low-grade members expelled from the club.
“However bad Cummins’ decision on the Bairstow appeal was, this behaviour by a small number of MCC members is despicable.
Image: Wikimedia Commons/Hugh Chevalier.