Cape Town – Usman Khawaja accused MCC members of racial abuse and shocking behaviour during Australia’s fiery 2023 Ashes clash at Lord’s.
In his autobiography, the former Australia batsman described MCC members behaving like a “pack of dogs” following Jonny Bairstow’s controversial stumping by Alex Carey.
Khawaja alleged that one member shouted and spat in his face, while another attempted to trip him and David Warner on the stairs. He also claimed he was racially abused after confronting a spectator.
“We didn’t realise what was waiting for us in the Long Room. Unfortunately, the MCC members in the room that day showed their true colours,” he wrote.
Australia Test captain Pat Cummins dismissed his former team-mate Usman Khawaja’s claims as “utter nonsense” after the recently retired batter said in his autobiography that the whole side were aware of ball-tampering that took place on their 2018 tour of South Africa ❌ https://t.co/svuG0b4Deg
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) November 13, 2026
The MCC subsequently expelled one member and suspended two others for abusive, offensive or inappropriate behaviour.
Khawaja also claimed in his autobiography that the entire Australian team knew about the use of sandpaper to tamper with the ball during the 2018 Test series against South Africa.
The scandal led to lengthy bans for captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, who was caught attempting to alter the condition of the ball during the Cape Town Test.
Khawaja retired from international cricket in January 2026, having scored 6,229 runs in 88 Tests for Australia.
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