The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has suspended three members after clashes with Australia players at Lord’s during the second Ashes Test.
The incident took place on day five of the match, after England batter Jonny Bairstow was controversially stumped by Australia wicketkeeper Alex Carey.
Television footage showed Usman Khawaja and David Warner exchanging words with spectators in the Long Room as Australia walked in for lunch.
Cricket Australia later said that several of its players had been “verbally abused” or “physically contacted” by spectators.
The MCC has since suspended the three members who were involved in the incident.
“The MCC has a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of abuse,” the club said in a statement.
“We will not hesitate to take action against any member who is found to have broken our Code of Conduct.”
The suspended members will not be permitted back to Lord’s until the investigation into the incident is complete.
The MCC has also apologized to Cricket Australia for the behavior of its members.
“We unreservedly apologize to the Australia team and management for the events that took place at Lord’s on Sunday,” the club said.
“We understand that this was a very upsetting experience for the players involved, and we are committed to ensuring that nothing like this happens again.”
The incident has cast a shadow over what was otherwise a thrilling Ashes Test match.
England won the match by 7 wickets to level the series at 1-1.
The third Test will be played at Headingley from July 23-27.
