‘I couldn't believe what I was hearing...’: Khawaja details racial abuse by MCC member at Lord's during 2023 Ashes

Former Australian opening batsman Usman Khawaja has revealed that he was targeted with a racial slur by a Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) member inside the historic Lord's Long Room during the contentious 2023 Ashes Test.

According to a report by Cricinfo referencing his autobiography Sabr, the incident unfolded on the final day of the second Test following the controversial stumping of England batter Jonny Bairstow. As the Australian team headed into the pavilion for the lunch break to heavy boos and verbal abuse from spectators, Khawaja was confronted directly by members of the club.

Broadcasting footage from Sky Sports at the time showed Khawaja stopping to address an MCC member before alerting stewards to another individual while heading toward the visitors' dressing room.

Detailing the hostility in his book, Khawaja described how members hurled profanities at the visiting side before one spectator aimed a racial slur at him.

"It was like a pack of dogs about to feast on their next meals. They were in unison, swearing, calling us 'F-ing this', and 'F-that', 'C-nts this'. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. At first, I just laughed, mostly in shock. Was this the Long Room? Part of the most prestigious, noble cricket club in the world, where the waiting list was over 30 years? Or were we with the Hollies [Edgbaston's notorious party stand]? And no disrespect to the Hollies, because they never treated us like this,” he said.

"As we kept walking, I pulled up when someone shouted right into my ear - as there was only a rope and about 20 centimetres between us. 'Don't you dare scream in my ear again, you d**khead,' I said to the first guy. Then as I walked on, and I heard someone else say, 'Shut up, you Pi,' I lost it," he said.

Khawaja noted that due to the chaotic environment, he could not pinpoint the exact individual who uttered the slur, though he confronted the member closest to him at the moment.

"I don't know who this was exactly. I want to clarify that I know a few people got bans from the MCC. All I know is I confronted the first bloke I saw, who I thought it was. He was still shouting, spitting and screaming in my face, so I could only assume it was him. I told security, 'Get this guy out of here!'".

Following an internal investigation into the behavior during the Test, the MCC suspended three members, eventually expelling one and handing bans of two-and-a-half and four-and-a-half years to the remaining two. Australia went on to win the match by 43 runs. (ANI)