Khawaja alleges racial slur during 2023 Ashes at Lord’s

Usman Khawaja has alleged in his autobiography that a Marylebone Cricket Club member directed a racial slur at him in the Lord’s Long Room during the 2023 Ashes, after Jonny Bairstow was dismissed in the second Test. Khawaja said he could not identify who made the remark. The MCC later sanctioned three members over their conduct during the incident.

Khawaja recounts that Australian players were walking through the Long Room toward the pavilion during the lunch interval on the fifth day, amid boos and verbal abuse from spectators. He said he confronted one member who shouted close to his ear, then heard another person use the alleged slur and lost his temper.

In the book, Sabr, Khawaja said he confronted the first member he thought might be responsible and alerted security. He later clarified that he did not know whether that person had used the slur. Broadcast footage from the match showed Khawaja stopping to confront an MCC member and alerting stewards as the players passed through the room. The footage does not establish what was said or identify the speaker.

The MCC investigated the incident and sanctioned three members. One was expelled from the club, while two others...