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

Steady, trooper. Ben Stokes's squad may be entering the third Ashes Test now 2-0 down, however not all in English cricket is fazed. There is one group tailor-made for such a situation, a crack(pot) unit who can lay claim to be the supreme masters of adversity. Have your dreams been shattered? Are you crushed beneath the pressure of crushing defeat? Then it's time, enlist with the Barmy Army.

Early Arrivals Gather on an Historic Location

As we speak, their advance guard are moving in on Adelaide, the city where they officially formed 30 years ago. England's most famous – and per capita most raucous – tourist followers will be hoping for an celebratory against-all-odds victory, like the one they celebrated on that 1994-95 tour. But no matter the outcome on the pitch, away from the field the parties will be extensive and boisterous.

"The on-field action been extremely disappointing," he admits, "however we're the fortunate few, because we're on holiday. It's likely harder for the people at home."

Even a dramatic batting collapse fails to deter this band of hardened veterans. They've been watching England's top-order failures since before many current players were born. They've seen more dropped catches than key pacemen have Test wickets. Their collective record as an Ashes away contingent is: contested many, lost often, won seldom. Those who understand how to weather a clean sweep, that would be the founding members.

A Ever-Present Presence On Screen

Indeed, for viewers at home, the Barmy Army appear to be ubiquitous in this contest. Australian cameras at the grounds frequently appear more focused on the Barmies than on their own fans. TV partners regularly use them as entertainment-focused lead-in to a day's play. Remarkably the athletes on the field give them a wave, with a supporter portraying a monarch leading a chorus of a national hymn.

From Travellers to Establishment

It's possible that the Barmy Army's mix of history and ubiquity has now obscured quite how stunning their rise of travelling fandom has been. Thirty years in the past a small group backpackers were drawn together in good-natured humour about failure at England's dismal away record. Now their story is so intertwined with the England cricket that their colourful, "unique" crowd is virtually part of the furniture. They've certainly come a long way since the early days.

One founding member recalls the buoyant hope of the series start of that pioneering tour. After the hosts on top, he led a six-person conga in the stands, teasing the Australian supporters with a song about convicts. "Local crowds jeered at us, then threw drink containers – the kind of thing that we still get today," he recalls. "However when we got back our little group of England followers had all participated."

Earning Acclaim In the Dressing Room

Following a loss, England's tour suffered more defeats. Anyone travelling with the team around the country was considered barmy indeed. When it came to the later Tests their crowd had increased significantly. Those on the field, however, genuinely enjoyed their support at the grounds. When England secured a consolation win, a star beckoned a Barmy Army figure up to the victory celebration to direct the celebrations. Such camaraderie has endured.

An Evolving Business

Additionally, the significant volume the Barmy Army can muster are as attractive to the cricket authorities as they are to international stadiums. At this Ashes alone, their official tours will host thousands of paying travellers. A variety of celebrations are organised for the 30th anniversary.

This is, ultimately, an group born of fan enthusiasm and entrepreneurial spirit. The reason they date themselves to a Adelaide game is because that was when they started selling branded clothing. The limited early stock was so instantly popular – and lucrative – that it launched a thriving business. Since then, the driving forces have helped turn a pub-based supporters into an major travel company.

Modern Challenges

That carries its own challenges, notably at a time when sport is trying to lose some of its lads-lads-lads image. The Barmy Army's directors are eager to highlight that a sizable minority of their clientele are now female. With societal shifts, the songs have had to get cleaner, too. "Language that were acceptable 30 years ago you must avoid now, and that's absolutely right," says a spokesperson. "We can't tell someone how to behave within the confines of their seat, but we will not promote songs that are insulting."

{A Natural Mellowing?

Might the Barmy Army evolve quietly? The mean age of fans is now approaching the late 40s – like the founders themselves, who have been happy to step away from the daily operation. One founder is experiencing this tour purely as a fan – leaving a fresh team to manage the Barmy Army's social media. "We forget how hard it used to be to organise with each other," he chuckles. "Our method was all by meeting up – 'everyone's going to the pub!'"

Regarding England's plight, the unlikely scenario of a 3-2 turnaround still lingers, which is very mid-90s indeed. Should England do lose in Adelaide … well, South Africa next Christmas is always an option.