Lord’s ejects member for abusing batsman
Steve Smith, the Australian captain, was allegedly booed and insulted in the Pavilion during Ashes Test
LORD’S might pride itself on being the “Home of Cricket” and the arena where the game’s values are sacrosanct, but it appears standards may be slipping.
It has emerged that an MCC member was ejected from the world-famous Pavilion on Saturday for allegedly verbally abusing Steve Smith, the Australian batsman, during the evening session of the second Ashes Test.
It is believed to be the first time in the history of the MCC that a member has been thrown out of Lord’s for abusing a player.
The incident is understood to have occurred when Smith was walking back to the Australian dressing room after he was dismissed for 92.
The member is said to have booed and used insulting language towards Smith as he was walking through the Long Room – the area of the Pavilion where MCC members mingle with players as they enter and leave the playing area.
The member who is alleged to have abused Smith is now liable to face expulsion or suspension from the MCC, which is considered one of the most prestigious private members’ clubs in the country.
The waiting list to become a member is around 29 years, although Theresa May, the former prime minister, was fast-tracked into the club last year.
Having to eject a member for abusing an opponent is embarrassing for the MCC and Lord’s, and doubly so given the target of the abuse was Smith – widely recognised as the finest batsman in world cricket, and who had shown remarkable bravery in resuming his innings on Saturday having earlier been forced to retire following a sickening blow to the head from a ball by Jofra Archer, the England fast bowler.
Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, who were all suspended following a ball-tampering incident against South Africa last year, have all suffered verbal abuse from portions of the crowd at various grounds in England. This reception had appeared to be dying down, and when Smith initially walked from the field on being hit by Archer, it was to widespread applause. However, small pockets of the ground, outside the Pavilion, did boo Smith on his return to the crease and on his eventual dismissal. This was picked up by the television cameras and widely commented upon on social media.
The Australian Cricketers’ Association also issued a statement condemning the booing of an injured player, calling it “unwelcome and incorrect” and that cricket, and Lord’s, “deserves much better than that”. Earlier this year the MCC introduced a new code of conduct during its annual general meeting. Any abusive, discriminatory or inappropriate behaviour is now considered a breach of the club’s rules. According to the procedures laid out in the MCC’S regulations, the incident is understood to have been referred to the MCC’S disciplinary panel
Booing an injured player is ‘unwelcome and incorrect’ and Lord’s and cricket ‘deserves better than that’
chairman, who must be a legally qualified MCC member.
The chairman must now launch a preliminary investigation before determining whether a full investigation should be launched and put before the
full panel, composed of two further members alongside the chairman.
The panel will then determine, on hearing the case, whether the member in question should be either reprimanded, suspended, have certain rights and privileges withdrawn, or be expelled entirely. The member will have a right to appeal any decision.
Behaviour at Lord’s – which is the only stadium in world cricket to allow spectators to bring alcohol into the ground – also came under scrutiny in 2017, when a drunken fight broke out between spectators in the Harris Garden, directly behind the Pavilion.
The MCC have offered no comment but do not deny that the incident occurred.