• Source:JND
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JE Sports Desk: Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has suspended three members for abusing Australian players at Lord's Long Room following Jonny Bairstow's controversial run out by Alex Carey on the final day of the second Test on Sunday.

After the end of the opening session's play on Day 5, the English crowd including the members of the elite club booed and also engaged in a verbal spat with Aussie players during lunch. The crowd chanted 'same old Aussies, always cheating' as Pat Cummins didn't withdraw the run-out appeal after Carey hit stumps when Bairstow was just out of his crease.

The incident left spectators bemused and many including former cricketers took to social media to fuel the laws of cricket vs spirit of cricket debate.

MCC was quick to respond as they announced the suspension of three members and ordered an investigation after apologising to visiting team.

“Further to the earlier statement, 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,” it added.

Australian team management had also requested the MCC to investigate the incidents involving spectators in the members' area.

"Australian management has requested the Marylebone Cricket Club investigate several incidents involving spectators in the members area during lunch on day five of the Lord's Test,” Cricket Australia said in a statement.

MCC in its previous statement 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 and I am pleased to say that there was no repeat of this as the players resumed the field for this afternoon's session."

Australia went on to win the match by 43 runs as England were bundled out for 327 in their second innings while chasing 371. Visitors take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

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