Khawaja alleges racial abuse by MCC member during 2023 Lord's Test

Usman Khawaja has alleged that a Marylebone Cricket Club member racially abused him during the 2023 Ashes Test at Lord's, according to BBC Sport. The former Australia batter gives his account in a newly released autobiography, revisiting the confrontation between Australian players and spectators that led to disciplinary action by the MCC.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rz5a0CQRQ2c

The confrontation followed Jonny Bairstow's controversial dismissal in the second Test, when Australia wicketkeeper Alex Carey stumped the England batter. Television pictures showed Khawaja and team-mate David Warner in exchanges with spectators as the Australian side left the field for lunch. Khawaja's account describes what he says happened as the players passed through the Long Room and continued towards their dressing room.

According to the BBC's report, Khawaja says he asked one man not to shout at him again and was then racially abused by another person. He also describes a spectator shouting and spitting in his face. These details are allegations made by Khawaja in his book; the disciplinary findings reported by the BBC concerned abusive, offensive or inappropriate conduct or language.

The MCC expelled one member after the incident and suspended two others. One received a four-and-a-half-year suspension, while the other was suspended for 30 months. Those sanctions followed the confrontation captured on television, which involved both Khawaja and Warner. The reported findings should not be read as confirmation of each allegation now set out in the autobiography.

Khawaja also alleges that a member tried to trip both players on the stairs. In his account, Warner challenged the man first, but the member then attempted the same action as Khawaja went past. Khawaja says more members were gathered near the changing room when he reached the top of the stairs.

The batter contrasts that experience with his normally warm reception from MCC members, describing how they would applaud players regardless of their score. BBC Sport reports that Khawaja retired from international cricket in January. The 39-year-old finished his Australia Test career with 6,229 runs from 88 appearances.