By Ian McCullough
The prestigious Marylebone Cricket Club ejected one of its own members from Lord's on Saturday after he hurled verbal abuse at Steve Smith in the famed Long Room of the pavilion.
The incident occurred when Smith was walking from the field after making a brave 92 having returned to the middle after a 40-minute break after being hit in the neck by Jofra Archer.
Steve Smith leaves the ground after being dismissed on Saturday.Credit: AP
According to a report by The Cricketer, the unidentified member called Smith a "cheat and a disgrace" as he made his way back to the Australian dressing room.
It is believed to be the first time a member has been thrown out of the Lord's pavilion as a result of misconduct
Prospective MCC members must sit on an 18-year waiting list to join and at the club's AGM earlier this year a code of conduct was introduced to stamp out poor behaviour.
Although there was generally warm applause for Smith after he was dismissed by Chris Woakes on Saturday, there were a smattering of boos around the ground.
Smith, who was ruled out of the final day the Lord's Test due to concussion and is in doubt for the third match starting on Thursday, and David Warner have been booed by crowds ever since arriving in England in May ahead of the World Cup.
It follows their return to cricket from their year-long bans following the ball-tampering incident in South Africa.
The boos from the crowd were roundly condemned by commentators including Shane Warne, Michael Vaughan, Mark Taylor and Ian Healy.
The Australian Cricketers Association also issued a statement on Sunday criticising the jeering from the crowd.
"What was unwelcome and incorrect was the sound of booing of an injured player," it read.
"Cricket deserves much better than that. And Lord’s, the home of cricket, deserves much better than that also.
"What we witnessed was bravery from an outstanding young man. It should be commended not vilified.
"Over the English summer, generally the crowds have been terrific and really added to the contest.
"But when someone is hurt, yet the boos continue, it's time to call ‘enough.’
"At any rate, the players have already served the toughest penalties in the history of cricket. Surely it is time to move forward."
AAP