Even England's Aggressive Cricket's Collapse, this Barmy Army's Crew of Seasoned Tourists Remains Unshaken.

Take heart, fan. England's side might be heading into the third Ashes Test already 2-0 down, yet some remain among supporters is deterred. There is one collective perfectly suited for these circumstances, a dedicated unit who are arguably the quintessential doomsday preppers. Is optimism crushed? Is the disappointment beneath the weight of unmet expectation? Then it's time, join the Barmy Army.

Advance Guard Converge on an Formation Site

Already, their first wave are descending upon Adelaide, the city where they first came together 30 years ago. England's iconic – and per capita noisiest – tourist followers will be anticipating an triumphant anniversary upset, reminiscent of the one they saw on that 1994-95 tour. But regardless of the result on the pitch, in the stands and bars the celebrations will be long and loud.

"England's performance been very, very disappointing," one founder concedes, "but we're the blessed group, because we're on holiday. It's likely harder for the people at home."

Even Bazball's nuclear implosion can't shake this band of battle-tested followers. They've been observing England's innings meltdowns since prior to a new generation took the field. They've seen more spilled chances than key pacemen have career scalps. Their touring history as an Ashes away contingent is: contested many, lost often, won seldom. Those who knows how to survive a series sweep, they are the original supporters.

A Ever-Present Sight At the Ground

Indeed, for viewers at home, the Barmy Army do seem to be everywhere during this Ashes. Australian cameras at the grounds often appear keener to feature the Barmies than in their own fans. Broadcasters often use them as banter-primed prelude to a day's play. Even the players on the field acknowledge them, with someone clad as a monarch starting a rendition of a national hymn.

From Backpackers to Institution

Perhaps that the Barmy Army's combination of longevity and ubiquity has now masked quite how remarkable their dominance of travelling fandom has been. In the early 1990s a small group backpackers were drawn together in good-natured humour about failure at England's dismal away record. Today their story is so intertwined with the men's Test side that their vibrant, "maverick" crowd is virtually establishment itself. They've definitely come a far since the humble beginnings.

One veteran recalls the buoyant hope of the opening day of that formative tour. With the hosts on top, he started a small conga in the stands, provoking the locals with a tune about the past. "Home supporters jeered at us, then threw rubbish – the stuff that we occasionally encounter today," he remembers. "However when we got back our small band of England followers had all taken part."

Earning Respect From Players

After an early setback, England's tour suffered more defeats. Anyone backing the team around the country surely was barmy indeed. By the time the bigger venues their numbers had grown significantly. Those on the field, however, genuinely enjoyed their presence at the grounds. When England managed a face-saving victory, a star invited a supporter up to the team balcony to join in the festivities. Such camaraderie persists.

An Maturing Operation

Additionally, the significant volume the Barmy Army can attract are as attractive to the cricket authorities as they are to overseas venues. On this tour alone, their organised trips will bring a significant contingent of fans on tour. All kinds of celebrations are scheduled for the significant birthday.

This is, after all, an entity born of fan enthusiasm and entrepreneurial spirit. The explanation they trace their origin to a particular match is because that was when they started selling branded clothing. The short initial run was so instantly popular – and lucrative – that it began a thriving business. Since then, the original members have helped turn a pub-based supporters into an industry-leading travel company.

Modern Evolution

That brings its own complexities, especially at a time when sport is looking to shed some of its boisterous image. The Barmy Army's management are quick to note that a significant portion of their supporters on tour are now women. With societal shifts, the chants have had to get less offensive, too. "Comments that were acceptable 30 years ago you cannot utter today, and that's as it should be," says a director. "It's not possible to tell someone how to behave within the confines of their seat, but we won't support songs that are derogatory."

{A Natural Mellowing?

Might the Barmy Army mellow naturally? The mean age of fans is now approaching the late 40s – like the founders themselves, who have been pleased to step away from the daily operation. One founder is enjoying this tour purely as a fan – leaving a fresh team to run the Barmy Army's online channels. "You forget how difficult it used to be to communicate with each other," he smiles. "Our method was all by shouting – 'everyone's going to the pub!'"

As for the current contest, the faint hope of a historic comeback still lingers, which is classic Barmy Army indeed. In the event England are defeated in Adelaide … well, the next tour is always an option.