Reports: Australia request for stringent security measures ahead of 3rd Ashes Test at Headingley

The rivalry between England and Australia is a storied affair and a new chapter is being written during the ongoing Ashes series which the away side is leading 2-0. An on-field incident, however, has hogged the limelight, and it's not a memorable knock or a mesmerizing spell.

Jonny Bairstow was stumped by Alex Carey on Day 5 of the Lord's Test off Cameron Green's bowling. The English wicketkeeper-batter didn't inform his opposite number or the leg umpire before leaving his crease. England and their fans felt that Australia should have withdrawn the appeal and allowed Bairstow to bat on as the dismissal didn't uphold the spirit of cricket.

As per the laws, Carey and Australia did nothing unfair. However, they have received a lot of boos and abuse since the incident unfolded. When Pat Cummins' men take on the Ben Stokes' side in the third Test at Headingley, expect fireworks as the hosts are fuming after Bairstow's dismissal. To make matters worse for the visitors, the English fans who will come to watch the Headingley Test are surely going to have a go at them.

As per a report in The Australian, the visiting team has asked security levels to be beefed up for their families ahead of the Headingley Test.  Allegedly, the abuse from opposition fans left a staff member's 11-year-old son crying while a player's mother was forced to leave the Lord's Cricket Ground on the fifth day of the second Test.

"The Australian cricket side has requested extra security be provided for families after abusive fans left one staff member's 11-year-old son in tears and forced one player's mother to leave the Lord's Ashes Test on the fifth day," the report said.

Steven Smith has been targeted by English fans with taunts and trolls on quite a few occasions. However, this time, the report alleges that his mother fell victim to the taunting of the home fans. The report, however, states that the fans didn't know she was Smith's mother but understood she was Australian and that was enough for them to start with their antics.

The third Test begins on Thursday. Australians are surely aware that the best way to silence the crowd will be to continue playing the game as brilliantly as they have so far in the series.