Australia were labelled "pathetic" as the second Ashes test became the subject of widespread fury after England batsman Jonny Bairstow was run-out in controversial circumstances.
And Cricket Australia have requested an investigation into “several incidents” involving members spectators in the members area during lunch on a tumultuous fifth day at Lord's.
The issues began when, with Australia closing in on a 2-0 lead in the series and England 193 for five chasing 371, Bairstow ducked under a bouncer from Cameron Green, tapped the crease and began to walk down to prod the pitch.
Australia wicket-keeper Alex Carey sent an under-arm throw in after catching the ball, leaping for joy as he hit the stumps. There was confusion in the middle, Bairstow seemingly believing the ball was dead at the end of the over but Australia were happy to proceed with a deeply divisive appeal.
The umpires sent the decision upstairs for review by TV umpire Marais Erasmus, who had no option but to confirm Bairstow’s dismissal which ultrasound led to defeat to England.
The Yorkshireman, livid, reluctantly stomped off to the pavilion as a crowd of almost 32,000 – taking advantage of reduced £25 tickets – in Lords sang in unison: "Same old Aussies, always cheating."
Australia celebrated their sixth wicket, while social media was ablaze with outrage. Avid cricket fan Piers Morgan was among those deeply unhappy, tweeting: "You cannot be serious??!! Australia, that is pathetic. How can you possibly want to win an Ashes Test match like that?"
Stuart Broad, who came in for Bairstow to partner Ben Stokes, then told Carey, as picked up on the stump mic: "You'll forever be remembered for that."
He didn't hold back as he spoke to Aussie skipper Pat Cummins and Marnus Labuschagne either, declaring: "That's the worst thing I've ever seen in cricket."
England bowler Jofra Archer, who's currently out injured, gave his stunned reaction, simply tweeting: "Wow."
Former Aussie spinner Brad Hogg had his say too, saying: “Bairstow wicket, Not Out. Spirit of cricket pushed to the boundary. Not attempting a run, end of over, scratched crease then walked for the regulation BS chat between overs between batsman."
The spicy atmosphere quickly ramped up at the usually serene Lord's, as Stokes took matters into his own hands and hit Cameron Green for three successive sixes.
Digging in in search of victory and producing another absence individual display, the England captain only had 62 from 126 balls when Bairstow was run out, yet quickly reached a century 16 balls later.
Lunch was called with England at 243-6, and eventually lost by 43 runs, despite Stokes' outstanding tally of 155. Australia were booed on their way into the famous Long Room and the Australians even got into verbal spats with Lord's members, as Usman Khawaja was even held back by security.
Former England white-ball skipper Eoin Morgan was left stunned by what occurred inside, saying: “I arrived here as a 16-year-old kid and I was lucky to have played my whole career here and I’ve never seen scenes like that, particularly in the Long Room, never mind all the way around the ground.
“It was a huge sense of frustration but I can’t understand why. It’s complete naivety around what’s happened with Jonny Bairstow’s dismissal. He’s stumped!”
Morgan tweeted: "Wow.. Aussies getting into angry confrontations with booing MCC members as they return to the pavilion. Never seen that.. but then I've seen an Australia side show so little regard for 'spirit of the game' in an Ashes Test."
Even Liverpool football legend Jamie Carragher was raging, posting on Twitter: "Brilliant from Stokes & Broad, and the fella in the long room! Joke that the commentary team are justifying the dismissal of Bairstow, he's not trying to gain an advantage."
Have your say! Should Australia have been allowed to run Jonny Bairstow out? Join the debate in the comments section.
Ex-England bowler Steven Finn declared on Test Match Special: "You don't see that atmosphere here at Lord's at all!"
Former England captain Michael Athertan however said of the Bairstow dismissal: “Controversially so, but not unfairly so."
Ricky Ponting, working for Sky Sports but also getting booed, albeit playfully, joked: “I’ve either got to go behind the cart or I’ll go over the fence — probably safer to go behind the cart."
A statement later issued by the MCC said: "We have unreservedly apologised to the Australian Team and will deal with any Member who has not maintained the standard we expect through our disciplinary processes. It was not necessary to eject anyone from the ground."
However, Cricket Australia are pushing for an investigation, citing "several incidents".
