The Daily Observer London Desk: Reporter- Judith Benjamin
Security at Headingley is to be ramped up following the controversial dismissal of Jonny Bairstow which is threatening to turn the Ashes toxic.
While officials are reluctant to release operational details, – and a potential backlash at Bairstow’s home county – have formed part of the planning for what promises to be an incredibly hostile atmosphere in Yorkshire for the Australians.
An extensive plan, with measures in place to prevent any pitch invading Just Stop Oil protestors, was already in place.
However, Sunday’s much-debated stumping of Yorkshire keeper Bairstow, which triggered outrage among the crowd and saw three MCC members suspended for abusing the tourists as they walked through the Long Room, has caused a significant additional headache.
Conversations are ongoing but particular focus will be paid to the Western Terrace, one of the most raucous areas in world cricket.
Security is set to be ramped up at Headingley for the third Ashes test after the controversial dismissal of Jonny Bairstow
Officials are fearing a backlash against Australia following Bairstow’s contentious stumping at Lord’s as they prepare to travel to his home county of Yorkshire
The Ashes turned ugly on the weekend as MCC members in the long room confronted Aussie stars in unprecendented scenes
The fact that Bairstow hails from nearby Bradford may well increase the temperature for Aussie captain Pat Cummins and his side.
Cummins has cut an unapologetic figure after Bairstow was contentiously stumped at a critical point in the Second Test. The Yorkshireman had ducked under a bouncer and marked his crease at the end of the over before heading down the wicket to speak to batting partner Ben Stokes.
However, Aussie keeper Alex Carey threw down the stumps and, with play not called dead, Bairstow was forced to walk as Cummins decided against calling him back.
England captain Stokes subsequently said that he would not have followed suit, while the move outraged the Lord’s crowd.
Tensions are running high between the teams after the hotly-debated incident in second Test
Continuous chants of ‘Same old Aussies, always cheating’ accompanied by booing echoed around the ground, while the tourists were barracked as they headed through the historic Long Room for lunch.
Officials believe the volume will be turned up considerably on Thursday, and while there is a confidence that those present will not cross the line plans are in place to act with speed should that be the case.
The situation has been eased somewhat by the fact that the dressing rooms at Headingley in a more isolated position than those at Lord’s and that the Aussies will not have to walk through crowds of spectators on their way on and off the field.
Despite Stokes’ heroic 155 Australia went on to win the match and take a 2-0 series lead. The skipper believes that the ill-feeling will increase at Headingley.
‘I definitely think it’s going to be ramped up,’ he said.
