Australia star calls for life ban on rowdy Lord's member after THAT Jonny Bairstow row to be LIFTED

Australian opener Usman Khawaja has said he is prepared to forgive the MCC member who received a life ban from Lord’s after the uproar surrounding the stumping of Jonny Bairstow during the 2023 Ashes.

Khawaja became involved in a heated exchange with furious members in the Long Room as the players walked off for lunch on the fourth day of the second Test, amid accusations his team had cheated after wicketkeeper Alex Carey underarmed the ball on to the stumps when Bairstow left his crease prematurely at the end of an over. 

Khawaja later said: ‘Some of the stuff coming out of the members’ mouths was really disappointing.’

Three members were disciplined: one received a ban of four and a half years, another of two and a half years, and the third a lifetime ban.

The Sydney Morning Herald have reported that MCC are reconsidering the life ban, and while this is understood not to be on the cards, Khawaja told the newspaper that he would support the move – as long as the member in question had learned from his mistake.

I’m a big believer in second chances, as long as you learn from your mistakes,’ he said. ‘If these guys have learned from their mistakes and they’re never going to spray players as they’re walking off the field 30cm from their face, that’s fine.’

Sections of the Australian media suggested at the time there might have been a racial element to the abuse faced by Khawaja – his country’s first Muslim cricketer – though that was never proven.