Despite Bazball's Collapse, this Loyal Fan Group's Band of Ashes Veterans Remains Unshaken.

Take heart, soldier. England's team could be heading into the third Ashes Test now 2-0 down, however not everyone among supporters is deterred. There is one unit ideally equipped for these circumstances, a crack(pot) unit who consider themselves the quintessential experts in defeat. Are hopes dashed? Are you crushed beneath the pressure of crushing defeat? Then it's time, enlist with the Barmy Army.

Early Arrivals Converge on an Historic Location

As we speak, their advance guard are descending upon Adelaide, the city where they officially formed 30 years ago. England's most famous – and for their size most vocal – away supporters will be dreaming of an celebratory against-all-odds victory, like the one they witnessed on that mid-90s tour. And regardless of the result on the pitch, away from the field the celebrations will be long and loud.

"The cricket's been extremely disappointing," he admits, "but we're the lucky ones, because we're on holiday. It's likely harder for the people at home."

Even a dramatic batting collapse doesn't trouble this band of seasoned campaigners. They've been enduring England's batting collapse since prior to many current players took the field. They've witnessed more fielding errors than star players have Test wickets. Their touring history as an Ashes away contingent stands at: contested many, lost often, won seldom. The people who knows how to endure a whitewash, that would be the founding members.

A Ubiquitous Sight In Coverage

Certainly, if you're watching, the Barmy Army do seem to be all over this series. Host broadcasters at the grounds often appear more focused on the Barmies than on their own fans. Broadcasters frequently use them as banter-primed prelude to a day's play. Even the athletes on the field are heralding them, with a supporter portraying a monarch conducting a chorus of a well-known tune.

From Fans to Pillar

It's possible that the Barmy Army's combination of history and omnipresence has now masked quite how stunning their dominance of away support has been. In the early 1990s a handful travelling fans were drawn together in wry humour about failure at England's poor away record. Today their legacy is so intertwined with the men's Test side that their boisterous, "maverick" crowd is virtually establishment itself. They've certainly come a long way since the initial chants.

One original can picture the eager expectation of the series start of that formative tour. With the Australians building a solid score, he initiated a small conga in the stands, teasing the Australian supporters with a tune about historical figures. "The Aussie fans shouted insults at us, then threw rubbish – the stuff that we occasionally encounter today," he says. "However when we got back our modest following of England followers had all taken part."

Earning Appreciation In the Dressing Room

After a loss, England's tour continued to struggle. Anyone following the team around the country surely was barmy indeed. When it came to the later Tests their ranks had increased substantially. The players, however, genuinely enjoyed their support at the grounds. When England secured a face-saving victory, a team captain invited a supporter up to the team balcony to direct the celebrations. Such camaraderie remains.

An Evolving Operation

Furthermore, the large crowds the Barmy Army can conjure are as attractive to the cricket authorities as they are to overseas venues. On this tour alone, their organised trips will accommodate thousands of supporters. A variety of celebrations are organised for the significant birthday.

This is, after all, an group born of cricketing passion and business acumen. The logic they mark their founding to a Adelaide game is because that was when they started offering merchandise. The short initial run was so immediately successful – and profitable – that it sparked a lasting enterprise. From that point, the co-founders have helped turn a pub-based supporters into an industry-leading travel company.

Modern Evolution

That creates its own complexities, particularly at a time when sport is trying to lose some of its boisterous image. The Barmy Army's management are eager to highlight that a growing percentage of their travelling fans are now women. As norms evolve, the chants have had to get more family-friendly, too. "Things that were acceptable 30 years ago you cannot utter today, and that's correct," says a spokesperson. "It's not possible to tell someone how to behave in their own space, but we won't support songs that are derogatory."

{A Natural Mellowing?

Could the Barmy Army evolve quietly? The mean age of fans is now nearing middle age – similar to the original members, who have been pleased to step away from the management. One founder is savouring this tour purely as a punter – leaving a fresh team to manage the Barmy Army's online channels. "We forget how hard it used to be to organise with each other," he chuckles. "It was all done all by shouting – 'everyone's going to the pub!'"

Turning to this Ashes series, the unlikely scenario of a historic comeback persists, which is very mid-90s indeed. In the event England do lose in Adelaide … well, future travels awaits.