Despite England's Aggressive Cricket's Implosion, this Barmy Army's Band of Ashes Veterans Stands Firm.

Steady, fan. England's side could be approaching the next Ashes Test already 2-0 down, however not everyone in English cricket is disheartened. There is one group perfectly suited for these circumstances, a unwavering unit who are arguably the supreme doomsday preppers. Have your dreams been shattered? Is the disappointment beneath the pressure of failed hopes? Then it's time, enlist with the Barmy Army.

Pioneers Gather on an Formation Site

Already, their first wave are moving in on Adelaide, the city where they were established 30 years ago. England's best-known – and per capita noisiest – away supporters will be hoping for an celebratory against-all-odds victory, like the one they saw on that 1994-95 tour. And no matter the outcome on the pitch, off it the celebrations will be extensive and boisterous.

"England's performance been very, very disappointing," a veteran states, "yet we're the lucky ones, because we're on holiday. It's probably harder for the people at home."

Even Bazball's nuclear implosion fails to deter this band of battle-tested followers. They've been enduring England's top-order failures since before many current players started playing. They've observed more dropped catches than star players have international dismissals. Their personal stats as an Ashes touring group is: played 37, lost 27, won 6. The people who understand how to endure a whitewash, that would be the founding members.

A Ubiquitous Presence In Coverage

Without a doubt, on television, the Barmy Army appear to be ubiquitous in this contest. Australian cameras at the grounds often appear more interested in the Barmies than in their own fans. TV partners frequently use them as banter-primed prelude to a day's play. Remarkably the athletes on the field give them a wave, with someone clad as a monarch leading a chorus of a patriotic song.

From Backpackers to Pillar

Perhaps that the Barmy Army's mix of history and omnipresence has now overshadowed quite how stunning their dominance of tourist following has been. In the early 1990s a handful followers were brought together in wry mockery of their team at England's poor away record. In the present day their legacy is so intertwined with the national team that their colourful, "unconventional" crowd is practically part of the furniture. They've certainly come a great distance since the early days.

One original can picture the eager expectation of the series start of that pioneering tour. After the opposition on top, he initiated a six-person conga in the stands, teasing the locals with a tune about convicts. "Local crowds jeered at us, then threw rubbish – the kind of thing that we still get today," he remembers. "Yet when we got back our small band of England followers had all participated."

Earning Acclaim In the Dressing Room

After an early setback, England's tour faced further difficulties. Any supporter backing the team around the country must have been slightly mad. As the tour reached the Melbourne and Sydney matches their ranks had swelled substantially. The squad, however, genuinely enjoyed their presence at the grounds. When England secured a notable triumph, a team captain invited a Barmy Army figure up to the victory celebration to lead the festivities. This connection remains.

An Evolving Business

Furthermore, the sheer numbers the Barmy Army can muster are as appealing to the cricket authorities as they are to overseas venues. For this series alone, their official tours will accommodate thousands of supporters. Numerous celebrations are organised for the three-decade milestone.

This is, after all, an group born of love for the game and commercial nous. The explanation they mark their founding to a Adelaide game is because that was when they started offering branded clothing. The first small batch was so immediately successful – and lucrative – that it began a commercial operation. Since then, the driving forces have helped turn a group of mates into an industry-leading tour operator.

Modern Evolution

That creates its own issues, especially 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 growing percentage of their travelling fans are now women. As times have changed, the songs have had to get cleaner, too. "Things that were common 30 years ago you cannot utter today, and that's absolutely right," says a representative. "We can't tell someone how to behave individually, but we do not endorse songs that are offensive."

{A Changing Demographics?

Might the Barmy Army evolve quietly? The demographic is now approaching the late 40s – like the founders themselves, who have been content to step away from the management. One founder is enjoying this tour purely as a fan – leaving newer staff to populate the Barmy Army's digital presence. "You forget how challenging it used to be to communicate with each other," he laughs. "It was all done all by shouting – 'everyone's going to the pub!'"

Regarding England's plight, the impossible dream of a series victory persists, which is classic Barmy Army indeed. And if England do lose in Adelaide … well, South Africa next Christmas looks nice.