Australia have gone 2-0 up in the Ashes series after a fiery fifth day of the second Test at Lord's, which featured a masterful 155 from England captain Ben Stokes.
Following the controversial dismissal of Jonny Bairstow, who was stumped by Alex Carey despite appearing to feel that the ball was dead, Stokes gave England hope with a brilliant 108-run partnership with Stuart Broad, who continued to make his displeasure over Bairstow's dismissal known to the Australia players.
But when Stokes, who had earlier been dropped by Steve Smith, was caught by Carey off the bowling of Josh Hazlewood the game was up for England, who ultimately lost by 43 runs to go 2-0 down in the five-match series.
It was another remarkable Ashes match, but many are set to remember it for the dismissal of Bairstow which led to howls of derision around Lord's and ugly scenes in the pavillion's Long Room as Australia left the field for lunch.
Controversy occurred when Bairstow was stumped by Carey after leaving the crease before the ball was dead.
The final ball of Cameron Green’s over was ducked by Bairstow and he started to walk to the middle of the wicket to speak to Stokes, but Australia wicketkeeper Carey instantly threw the ball in and hit the stumps.
After the third umpire checked the footage to make sure Bairstow was out of his ground, he confirmed the Yorkshire batter was out for 10.
England were left on 193 for six and furious with Broad walking out to join Stokes, while Australia players were jeered and confronted about the incident in the Lord's Long Room..
The MCC has issued an apology after television cameras picked up an exchange between its members and the Australian team, with batsman Usman Khawaja targeted..
Pat Cummins’ side were walking through the Long Room at Lord’s at lunch when footage showed an apparent exchange of words between spectators in the room and the Australian players.
A spokesperson for the MCC said: “The Long Room is unique in world cricket and the great privilege of players passing through the pavilion is very special.
“After this morning’s play, emotions were running high, and words were unfortunately exchanged with some of the Australian team, by a small number of members.
“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.”
A spokesperson for Cricket Australia said of the incident: “Australian management has requested the MCC investigate several incidents involving spectators in the members’ area during lunch on day five of the Lord’s Test.
“It is alleged players and staff from the Australian team were verbally abused, with some being physically contacted, as they made their way to lunch through the members’ area.”
