Usman Khawaja, the opening batsman for Australia, has so far criticized the harsh behaviour of English supporters during the present 2023 Ashes series. After getting into a verbal confrontation with a Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) member in the long room during the lunch break on Day 5, Khawaja found himself in the centre of the controversy during the second Test at Lord’s.
With two more games remaining in the extremely contested series, which is still tightly poised at 2-1 in favour of the Australians, the intensity of the rivalry between England and Australia has erupted. Following the Lord’s disaster, the infamous Leeds crowd targeted players like Usman Khawaja and Alex Carey.
Khawaja said that the environment is so unpleasant that he wouldn’t even bring his kids there to experience it.
They’re tough, I mean. When you mention it to English men, they claim that when [they travel to Australia], we are just as rough. In any case, I disagree. It’s not morally correct, in my opinion. Personally, I wouldn’t want my kids near that if I’m going to the cricket and watching the cricket, he added.
Khawaja went on to say that Travis Head also received a lot of criticism from the audience:
“I would definitely file a complaint or quit if I witnessed that. I believe that some of the material might be rather subpar. At Edgbaston, Travis Head was being referred to as a cu you know what. I find it unbelievable that you could say it in any public setting.”
In Australia, there have also been instances of disorderly crowd behaviour, but such situations have been addressed either as a result of a complaint made to the security personnel by players on the pitch or spectators.
In England, the option to alert security to any type of crowd disorder via a standardised, simplified text messaging system has not yet been implemented. The security team frequently kicks a person out of a place if their actions go too far.
Usman Khawaja: I’ve done it my entire life; it doesn’t bother me
Three players who were engaged in the fight with Usman Khawaja at the Lord’s Test have been suspended by the Marylebone Cricket Club. Following the conclusion of the Test, the organization also apologized to the Australian squad.
Khawaja asserted that situations frequently break out when players and fans are close to one another:
“MCC are everywhere. I have faith in them to act morally. I am aware that there are people all around the world that like watching and playing sports. You can see it happen if you watch the NBA.”
He went on:
“Especially when spectators can get up close and personal with you, like they can in cricket. I disagree with it, but it is what it is. Since I have always done it, it doesn’t concern me. And I’ll let them know if it does.”
On July 19, the fourth Ashes Test is slated to start at Manchester’s Old Trafford Cricket Ground.
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