Alex Carey and his Australian teammates will revisit the Long Room at Lord’s on Friday, marking a year since the tumultuous Ashes cricket day that drew the ire of the ground’s members. It seems improbable that similar scenes will unfold, although Marylebone Cricket Club is taking no risks. Following the uproar caused by Carey’s run-out of Jonny Bairstow in the second Ashes Test, pavilion arrangements have been tightened. Three MCC members received bans after a club investigation—one of whom returns just in time for the next home Ashes series—and the tourists have been granted more space. The ropes in the Long Room, which previously separated members and players, have been moved back for international matches this season, widening the walkway. The stairwells, where chants of ‘cheat, cheat, cheat’ echoed as Australia retreated to their dressing room, are now off-limits when players are in transit.
The club’s faces were as red as the trousers in the stands that day, with MCC chief executive Guy Lavender addressing the Long Room aftermath and reminding members of their privileged proximity to the teams. An unreserved apology to Cricket Australia swiftly followed, labeling the behavior of certain individuals ‘completely unacceptable’ and confirming an internal investigation. Lavender told the Sydney Morning Herald in June: ‘My broad view is, I don’t think there’s a likelihood of it happening again.’ This fourth one-day international offers Lavender a chance to be proven right; the match begins with the tourists leading 2-1 and close to securing a series victory. Despite being another sell-out at the Home of Cricket—currently embroiled in controversy over next summer’s Test prices—the pavilion’s member turnout is unlikely to match last summer’s.
‘These things happen in Ashes Test matches,’ said Mitch Marsh, Australia’s captain for this tour, reflecting on the incident after a rain-forced indoor training session on Thursday. ‘There’s not an Ashes series that goes by without some drama. But we’re thrilled to be back here.’ Marsh added that there hasn’t been much discussion about the incident among the players, who have moved on. ‘There’s always excitement playing at Lord’s. It’s the greatest ground in the world—bar the Waca, of course—with all the history and tradition. Not many of the guys are training today; I think they just came in for lunch.’
For Carey, who was under orders from captain Pat Cummins on the day and played by the rules, the Long Room walk may bring some closure. He faced a challenging tour after the incident, enduring public abuse and the pace of Mark Wood. Carey subsequently lost his place to Josh Inglis in Australia’s one-day side, serving as the drinks carrier when the 50-over World Cup was won last winter. However, he has since rebounded, overcoming a slump in runs with an unbeaten 98 in a tense run chase in Christchurch in March, contributing to a 2-0 victory over New Zealand. His two innings in this series have yielded scores of 74 and 77 not out, the former pivotal in Australia’s current lead, flipping the second ODI at Headingley through a crucial 49-run 10th wicket stand with Josh Hazlewood.
Asked if the mild-mannered Carey had been motivated by last summer’s events, Marsh replied: ‘I don’t think that’s in his character. But Alex certainly loves playing against England. We all do. The fans are always incredible, and it’s always a tough challenge playing against England. I think he’s just thrilled to be back playing for Australia.’ Two more players are set to return for the 50-over world champions, with Marsh confirming the availability of Adam Zampa and Travis Head after missing Tuesday’s defeat at Chester-le-Street due to illness and rest, respectively. England, buoyed by Harry Brook’s match-winning century in that game and aiming to set up a decider in Bristol on Sunday, must decide whether to include Jofra Archer, carefully managing the fast bowler’s schedule.
