Even Bazball's Collapse, the Loyal Fan Group's Band of Seasoned Tourists Is Unmoved.

Steady, fan. Ben Stokes's team might be approaching the third Ashes Test now 2-0 down, yet some remain in English cricket is deterred. Exists one collective perfectly suited for such a situation, a dedicated unit who can lay claim to be the quintessential experts in defeat. Have your dreams been shattered? Do you feel the weight beneath the pressure of crushing defeat? Then it's time, join the Barmy Army.

Early Arrivals Gather on an Historic Location

Even now, their first wave are moving in on Adelaide, the city where they first came together 30 years ago. England's most famous – and by headcount most raucous – away supporters will be hoping for an celebratory against-all-odds victory, like the one they witnessed on that mid-90s tour. Furthermore regardless of the result on the pitch, off it the parties will be long and loud.

"The cricket's been very, very disappointing," one founder concedes, "however we're the blessed group, because we're on holiday. It's perhaps harder for the people at home."

Even Bazball's nuclear implosion can't shake this band of hardened veterans. They've been watching England's batting collapse since prior to a new generation took the field. They've witnessed more dropped catches than some bowlers have Test wickets. Their touring history as an Ashes touring group is: contested many, lost often, won seldom. If anyone comprehend how to weather a clean sweep, it's the founding members.

A Ever-Present Sight At the Ground

Indeed, on television, the Barmy Army do seem to be everywhere this series. Host broadcasters at the grounds often appear keener to feature the Barmies than on their own fans. TV partners regularly use them as banter-primed prelude to a day's play. Even the athletes on the field are heralding them, as someone clad as a king leading a singing of a patriotic song.

From Backpackers to Pillar

Perhaps that the Barmy Army's mix of endurance and visibility has now overshadowed quite how extraordinary their takeover of away support has been. Thirty years in the past a handful backpackers were united in good-natured mockery of their team at England's poor away record. In the present day their story is so linked with the England cricket that their boisterous, "unconventional" crowd is practically part of the furniture. They've definitely come a far since the early days.

One veteran can picture the excited anticipation of the series start of that pioneering tour. After the hosts on top, he led a modest conga in the stands, winding up the Australian supporters with a song about historical figures. "Home supporters shouted insults at us, then threw rubbish – the treatment that we occasionally encounter today," he says. "Yet when we got back our little group of England followers had all participated."

Earning Appreciation On the Field

Following defeat, England's tour faced further difficulties. Any supporter backing the team around the country was considered barmy indeed. As the tour reached the later Tests their ranks had grown substantially. Those on the field, however, truly appreciated their presence at the grounds. When England pulled off a notable triumph, a senior player invited a fan leader up to the players' area to direct the celebrations. That bond remains.

An Maturing Institution

Additionally, the large crowds the Barmy Army can muster are as valuable to the cricket authorities as they are to international stadiums. For this series alone, their travel packages will bring a large number of fans on tour. A variety of celebrations are scheduled for the three-decade milestone.

This is, ultimately, an group born of fan enthusiasm and commercial nous. The logic they date themselves to a specific Test is because that was when they started producing merchandise. The first small batch was so instantly popular – and profitable – that it sparked a commercial operation. Over the years, the original members have helped turn a group of mates into an major sports tourism business.

Modern Considerations

That brings its own challenges, especially at a time when sport is attempting to move beyond some of its lads-lads-lads image. The Barmy Army's directors are quick to note that a sizable minority of their travelling fans are now women. As times have changed, the songs have had to get less offensive, too. "Comments that were acceptable 30 years ago you can no longer say, and that's as it should be," says a spokesperson. "It's not possible to tell someone how to behave in their own space, but we do not endorse songs that are insulting."

{A Quieter Future?

Will the Barmy Army become more sedate? The mean age of fans is now approaching the late 40s – mirroring the pioneers, who have been pleased to distance themselves from the day-to-day running. One founder is enjoying this tour purely as a punter – leaving young professionals to run the Barmy Army's social media. "It's easy to overlook how difficult it used to be to organise with each other," he chuckles. "We used to do it all by word of mouth – 'everyone's going to the pub!'"

Turning to the current contest, the unlikely scenario of a historic comeback still lingers, which is typical of their spirit indeed. Should England do lose in Adelaide … well, South Africa next Christmas awaits.