Australia have requested a formal investigation after their players were allegedly abused by spectators during Sunday’s dramatic conclusion to the Second Ashes Test at Lord’s.
There was major controversy on the final day after Jonny Bairstow was run-out by Alex Carey, the England batter wandering out of his crease in wrongful belief that the ball was dead before the Australian ‘keeper took a successful shy at the stumps.
The crowd were left furious by the incident, with Pat Cummins’ side booed off the field at the lunch interval and television cameras picked up altercations between Australian players and Lord’s members as they made their way through the Pavilion’s Long Room.
A Cricket Australia statement said: “Australian management has requested the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) investigate several incidents involving spectators in the members area during lunch on day five of the Lord’s Test.
“It is alleged players and staff from the Australian team were verbally abused, with some being physically contacted, as they made their way to lunch through the members area.”
In a statement of their own, the MCC issued an apology over the incident. It read: “After this morning’s play, emotions were running high, and words were unfortunately exchanged with some of the Australian team, by a small number of Members.
“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 and I am pleased to say that there was no repeat of this as the players resumed the field for this afternoon."
