It was very disappointing: Khawaja on the behaviour of MCC members

Usman Khawaja has condemned the disrespectful behaviour of the MCC members after the controversial dismissal of Jonny Bairstow, which has the cricketing world divided over the spirit of the game debate. 

The right-handed batter was adjudged stumped as he walked out of his crease after the final ball of Cameron Green's over. Alex Carey was quick to collect the ball and throw it at the stumps, much to the disappointment of the England fans. 

🤐🤐🤐#EnglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/dDGCnj4qNm

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 2, 2023

While he was out, as per the laws of the game, the England supporters booed the Australian team as they returned to the dressing room after the first session of play. 

Khawaja revealed the comments from the members of the MCC were hard to believe, and the southpaw was even caught having a word with a few of them as they made their way through the Long Room. 

Usman Khawaja was pulled back by security after speaking to one the members inside the long room 😳

🗣️ "I've NEVER seen scenes like that!" pic.twitter.com/2RnjiNssfw

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 2, 2023

"It was really disappointing. Lord's is one of my favourite places to come. There's always respect shown at Lord's, particularly in the Members Pavilion in the Long Room, but there wasn't today. It was very disappointing," he said in a conversation with ESPN Cricinfo. 

"If anyone asked me where the best place is to play, I always say Lord's. The crowd is great, particularly the members are great, and some of the stuff that was coming out of the members' mouths was really disappointing, and I wasn't just going to stand by and cop it. So I just talked to a few of them," he added. 

The 36-year-old believes Australia have always played the game in the right spirit since Pat Cummins and Andrew McDonald have taken over. 

"It is what it is. We copped the same thing at Edgbaston. Obviously, it's a little different here. It's disappointing, to say the least. You know, we always try to play cricket in our best spirits, and we've said since Patty has taken over, since Andrew McDonald has taken over, winning is as important as how we win," he concluded. 

The visiting side is currently leading the five-match Ashes series 2-0 and will face England on Thursday, July 6, at Headingley for the third Test.