Ashes 2023: "It Seemed Like A Fish Market" - Aakash Chopra On Heated Verbal Exchange In The Lord’s Long Room

Published - 03 Jul 2023, 05:52 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:15 AM

Lord's Long Room (Image Credits: Twitter)

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Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra expressed his astonishment at the atmosphere inside the historic Long Room during the lunch break on Day 5 of the second Ashes Test. Aakash Chopra compared the Lord’s Long Room environment to a fish market, pointing out the noise.

Jonny Bairstow’s controversial dismissal on the final day caused the Long Room members to engage in heated conversations with Australian players. England fans were involved in a verbal exchange with the Australians as they headed into the dressing room during the lunch break.

They Were Making So Much Noise – Aakash Chopra

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra pointed out that the Australian players were receiving boos from the crowd in the Long Room while they were going upstairs.

“There was almost a scuffle-like situation in the Lord’s Long Room. What does this mean and where does it go from here? It is a big question because if you are seeing this at the home of cricket, then it is a bit of a problem. It seemed like a fish market,” Chopra said.

Also read: Ashes 2023: “I Would Be Amazed If England Went In With The Same Bowling Attack” – Andrew Strauss Feels The Hosts Need Fresh Blood

“They were making so much noise for that one run-out when the Australian players were going upstairs.

If you have been given out rightly based on the law, that is where the debate must end but it did not end there and that’s the problem. In the Long Room, the Aussies were booed a little, a lot of things were said,” he added.

People With Civilized Behavior Until Now – Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra stated that the dismissal of Jonny Bairstow on the final day of play in a controversial manner led to a loss of civility among the members present.

“These are the traditions at Lord’s, the Mecca of cricket, where players go through the members in the Long Room. There have been people with civilized behavior until now, they clap as well and are happy too, that’s what England’s culture has been so far but this one decision has made them go up in arms,” he continued.

Also read: Ashes 2023: “The Spirit Of Cricket Does Not Come Into It” – Michael Atherton On Jonny Bairstow’s Controversial Dismissal

Want To See Attentively What Happens – Aakash Chopra

The cricketer-turned-commentator expressed his curiosity about whether Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) would take any punitive action against those members involved in the incident.

“The spectators suddenly found everything wrong in it although the truth is that it is MCC’s home as well. They only have made the laws. What is your problem if someone follows the laws that have been made there only?” he further stated.

Also read: Ashes 2023: “Jonny Bairstow Was Out Because The Laws Were Not Breached In Any Way” – Aakash Chopra Slams Spirit Of The Game Remarks

“The Australian team has asked for an investigation of the incident. I want to see attentively what happens. Will anyone be found guilty and if so what will happen to him? Will his membership be revoked or he won’t be allowed to come to the ground for some time? Is something like that going to happen because it’s not right,” he concluded.