"Have your dreams been shattered? Are you crushed beneath the weight of unmet expectation? Then it's time to join the Barmy Army, son. Already their advance guard are moving in on Adelaide, the city where they officially formed 30 years ago. England's most famous and per capita noisiest travelling fans will be hoping for an anniversary win-against-the-odds, like the one they witnessed on that 1994-95 tour. And whatever happens on the pitch, off it the parties will be long and loud."
"Even Bazball's nuclear implosion can't shake this crew of hardened veterans. They've been watching England's batting collapse since before Jamie Smith was born. They've seen more dropped catches than Jofra Archer has Test wickets. Their personal stats as an Ashes touring group read: played 37, lost 27, won 6 (I am excluding the Covid series which fans couldn't travel to). If anyone knows how to weather a whitewash, it's someone like Dave Peacock, one of their founding members."
"TNT Sports regularly uses them as banter-primed buildup to a day's play, having sponsored their T-shirts and their trumpeter. Even the players on the field are heralding them. On the second day at the Gabba, when a man clad as King Charles led a chorus of Jerusalem, Joe Root gave him a wave from the non-striker's end."
The Barmy Army has gathered in Adelaide to mark 30 years of organized touring support for England, undeterred by a 2-0 Ashes deficit. The group is known for loud, persistent support, off-field partying and a history of surviving heavy touring losses, with a recorded Ashes record of played 37, lost 27, won 6. Founding members such as Dave Peacock frame the touring experience as a holiday and a communal resilience against on-field disappointment. Broadcast coverage often focuses on the Barmies, with sponsors like TNT Sports featuring their T-shirts and trumpeter, while players acknowledge their presence on the ground. Their longevity and ubiquity make them a constant presence regardless of match outcomes.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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