London: The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) on Sunday "unreservedly apologised" to the Australian team after its few members allegedly abused several visiting players in the Lord's Long Room following Jonny Bairstow's controversial dismissal on the fifth day of the second Ashes Test. 

In the 52nd over, Bairstow ducked a slow bouncer from Cameron Green and ventured out of the crease thinking that the ball was already 'dead'. However, Alex Carey broke the stumps and third umpire Marais Erasmus adjudged it stumped in favour of Australia.

Chasing a stiff 371 to win the match, England were at 193 for 5 with Bairstow at 10 at that time.

Soon the Lord's crowd booed Australia with chants of "same old Aussies, always cheating".

When the players walked through the Long Room, Australian opener Usman Khawaja was seen stopping and confronting a MCC member. He was pulled back by security guards. Warner could also been seen making a comment to some of the members. The booing continued as the Australian players climbed the stairs.

"The Long Room is unique in world cricket and the great privilege of players passing through the Pavilion is very special. After this morning’s play, emotions were running high, and words were unfortunately exchanged with some of the Australian team, by a small number of members," the MCC said in a statement.

"We have unreservedly apologised to the Australian Team and will deal with any Member who has not maintained the standard we expect through our disciplinary processes. It was not necessary to eject anyone from the ground and I am pleased to say that there was no repeat of this as the players resumed the field for this afternoon’s session." 

Australian team management had also requested the MCC to investigate the incidents involving spectators in the members' area.

"Australian management has requested the Marylebone Cricket Club investigate several incidents involving spectators in the members area during lunch on day five of the Lord’s Test,” Cricket Australia said in a statement. 

"It is alleged players and staff from the Australian team were verbally abused, with some being physically contacted, as they made their way to lunch through the members area."

 

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Bengaluru: The Bengaluru police have directed murder accused Kannada film star Darshan Thoogudeepa to deposit his licensed firearm at the nearest police station. However, the actor has yet to comply.

A police source said that the Rajarajeshwari Nagar police sent a request last month to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Administration), seeking cancellation of Darshan’s firearm licence. The request followed the Karnataka High Court granting him bail in the Renukaswamy murder case.

The police expressed concerns that Darshan, who is out on bail, could threaten witnesses using the firearm. Therefore, a notice was issued for the safe deposit of the weapon.

The case involves the murder of Renukaswamy, a native of Chitradurga, whose body was found near a stormwater drain in west Bengaluru’s Sumanahalli in June last year. The police arrested Darshan, his close friend Pavithra Gowda, and 15 others for the crime.

The High Court granted conditional bail to Darshan on December 13, who was already out on interim bail on medical grounds.