A highly controversial Ashes incident led to three England fans being suspended from Lord’s for lengthy periods, while another was banned for life – but the decision could possibly be overturned ahead of the 2025/26 Ashes.
England and Australia are currently preparing for the 2025/26 Ashes Series, which is set to take place from November to January.
The hosts come into the five-test series as Ashes holders, having retained the urn with a 2-2 draw in England back in 2023.
And that series was littered with controversy and intense moments. Stuart Broad called time on his illustrious career and took the final wicket with his last ball when he dismissed Alex Carey, helping England win by 49 runs and level the series at 2-2.
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Thirty-four-year-old wicketkeeper batsman Carey was also involved in a highly controversial moment in the second test at Lord’s.
England batsman Jonny Bairstow evaded a bouncer from Aussie all-rounder Cameron Green, having made a score of 10 before he then scratched his crease and walked towards the non-striker’s end.
Carey then threw the ball and stumped the Yorkshireman, who thought the ball was ‘dead’.
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The incident sparked a debate about the ‘spirit of cricket’ even though Carey was well within the laws of the game.
The Australian vowed that he’d do the same thing again. The UK Prime Minister at the time, Rishi Sunak, agreed with England skipper Ben Stokes’ take on the incident, with the all-rounder also calling into question the morality of Bairstow’s dismissal despite admitting that his teammate was run out within the laws of the game.
"The prime minister agrees with Ben Stokes. He said he simply wouldn't want to win a game in the manner Australia did," a spokesperson said at the time.
Most England supporters were left annoyed by the incident, but three MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club) members crossed the line.
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The MCC suspended three members after an altercation with the Australian team on the final day of the test match.
The club had earlier “unreservedly apologised” over the behaviour of some of the club’s members in the Long Room, as the side were “verbally abused” or “physically contacted” as they returned for lunch.
Players must walk through the Long Room to access their respective changing rooms at Lord’s.
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After a four-month investigation, one was banned for two and a half years, a second was banned for four and a half years, and a third was expelled from the club for life, with the latter’s behaviour branded as “completely unacceptable” by the club.
But according to the Sydney Herald, the expulsion is now under review with Aussie batter Usman Khawaja – who was targeted in 2023 – claiming that he would not challenge a more lenient sanction.
The paper reports: "Four sources with knowledge of discussions, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed to this masthead that the life ban was under review.
"While an appeal process was run at the time, the MCC has since appointed a new independent disciplinary panel chair, James Counsell, KC, with the power to take a fresh look at the episode and its penalties."
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The 2025/26 Ashes first test will get underway in Perth on November 21.
Luke Davies