Thanks for not misbehaving
During the evening session on day one at the Sydney Cricket Ground, a press release was issued to journalists which thanked fans for their good behaviour.
Apparently, ‘only’ eight people out of the 46,070-strong crowd were ejected from the ground up until 5pm. I’m no expert on figures such as this, but a Good Behaviour Quotient of 0.017% is obviously impressive enough to warrant a statement of appreciation.
“Cricket NSW and the Sydney Cricket Ground Trust have congratulated cricket fans for their behaviour during today’s play … [we] thank today’s crowd for their support and encourage all cricket fans to responsibly enjoy what is an historic Test match,” the statement read.
Although it’s a nice touch to laud people for doing something they’re meant to do anyway, it does seem an odd, and extreme, action. It also makes you wonder exactly what cricket authorities in Australia had feared would happen when opposing fans met.
In Adelaide, the communications manager of the South Australian Cricket Association elected to thank the Barmy Army, on behalf of the local police, for not causing any trouble.
At the MCG, a Melbourne Cricket Club media spokesman told me the spate of good behaviour (can there be such a thing?) was down to people realising how sought-after Ashes tickets were, and thus came to the cricket with no intent other than to watch the show.
This level of anxiety at Australian cricket grounds is fairly unique in my experience. Maybe it is just that authorities had been desperate for this high-profile series to go off without a hitch, and now that it has they are relieved and grateful for it.
But it’s hard to shake the impression that people in high places worried about a Hell’s Angels-style descent on Australia ahead of this series.
It was well-known in Australia, well ahead of time, that a record number of English visitors were making the trip Down Under for the Ashes. The Barmy Army made a big thing of it, claiming they were going to get their hands on tickets no matter how hard Cricket Australia tried keep them in the hands of locals.
Upon the arrival of the first fleet of tourists, and certainly after the trumpet affair in the first Test, sections of the Australian media were less than kind to the Barmy Army, accusing them of being disruptive and disrespectful.
Admittedly, the boisterous way the Army support their team can seem confrontational and put others off-side, but in reality there was nothing ever to worry about.
Entering the ground today, a scene in front of me exemplified how well opposing fans have got on this series.
Two men were walking together, side by side. One was wearing an official Barmy Army Ashes 06-07 t-shirt. On the back, Captain Cook was depicted sitting on a toilet on the beach reading a paper with the back-page headline,’The English invented cricket’. His ship was leaving without him and above the explorer’s head read the words, ‘Capain Cook only stopped for a ****’.
It could be seen as provocative, but the fellow he was with was wearing an Australia one-day shirt with a bandanna that encouraged other locals to ‘Go off in green and gold’.
That’s how it’s been this series, and maybe that’s why bodies like Cricket NSW feel moved to be thankful for it.
Fair comment. I went to day 2 and 3 of the Boxing Day test supporting England and enjoyed it thoroughly. I thought the Barmy Army added to the atmosphere well with the crowd, including most Aussies, laughing and joking about the Barmy Army and generally joining in the occasion. I just wish the Aussies would have some sort of retort other than 'Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi'!
On a related note, just been listening the ABC radio who were debating whether of not the Barmy Army should walk out of some matches in protest over England’s performances. Any comments? Personally I love the way English fans stay and support their team to the end.
Complain about this postI think the matches have been tremendously disappointing on the field, and thats the only reason people care so much about the crowd, behaviour etc. It would have been excellent if the standard of play was the main talking point as in 2005.
As for Tim's point that the Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi chant is a bit naff, I could not agree more, however, as an Australian I feel it necessary to point out that the reason for this is that while the English are out rehearsing and learning chants, the Australians are out learning to play cricket! And win.
Complain about this postWell said, Ozroy....
Complain about this postThe reason the crowds have been well behaved is that australia are winning, if the tests had been close or england winning the crowds would have reverted to their usual pommie hating and pommie baiting ways
Complain about this postI think the difference between the Australian crowds and the Barmy Army is that the Australian supporters are (generally) there to watch the cricket. The Army seem to be more concerned with working their way through their song book. The song book written by a handful of contributors which miraculously makes all members of the Army more witty, intelligent and original than all others in the ground. What ever happened to original thought and witty one liners? Why is that adopted football songs and chants (Easy! Easy! being one that springs to mind) are trumpeted as comical and original?
While the Barmy Army have provided support to the English team (not that it seems to have helped that much) spare me this drivel that all the lager swilling, red faced, beer-bellied, fair-weathered English cricket 'supporters' are more passionate than other supporters from other countries.
Complain about this postHmmm, sounds like somebody was worried about a large group of Englishmen comming to another country to watch a live sporting event.
Complain about this postActually, I have heard more than one English commentator, and more than once, cringe at the boorishness and rudeness of the Barmies on mass, especiallly after they chanted all the way through Warne's farewell speech at the MCG. What you don't realise is the level of "political correctness" that Cricket Australia and the various Cricket clubs adhere to, to make these formal statements. Private Australian opinion is otherwise, making us wonder how any reasonable person could possibly regard Aussies as uncultured yobs after being subjected to the mindlessness of the Barmy Army for the past 6 weeks. Your comments about the t'shirtrs only confirm this.
Complain about this postPerhaps, but there was never much chance of that happening, Alec Robinson...
Good to see the crowds behaving themselves. It's disappointing when a few people ruin it for the rest of us.
Complain about this postOn the subject of crowd behaviour, someone noted on this blog yesterday that there were some fears of racist taunts against Monty Panesar and Saj Mahmood. I'm a Sydney local and I've really enjoyed watching these guys, esp. Monty who never seems to lose his enthusiasm even when things are going badly. I've been to ashes tests in sydney before and it's always great having the barmy army here, although personally I think when they buy their tickets they should be posted out with a tube of sunscreen to avoid the lobster-like appearance of some individuals!
Complain about this postSadly I'm not surprised that the authorities felt the need to release a statement, good behaviour by Aussie crowds is something of a rarity these days and i daresay we won't see this current outburst of chivalry continue come the one-dayers, that's usually when the worst of Australian cricket fandom comes to the fore, seems the mixture of warm/hot weather with a few amber fluids is more than the brain cells of the average Aussie can take!
And yes I'm Australian.
Unfortunately I have to say i've been subjected to very ordinary behaviour by the Barmy Army on a previous tour when I had the misfortune to wear my German football shirt to a match(i've German heritage). My friends and I ended up requesting to be moved, it was either that or commence hostilities against these bozos!
Must be something about England, Australia and NZ as the crowds in NZ have often subjected the Australian team to ordinary behaviour too (throwing objects on to the ground, at players etc)!!!
Complain about this postI don't think that some of the Aussie fans of the modern era fully appreciate what the BA and Enland cricket cricket fans in general have endured over the years. The Aussies don't have a decadent decade to set alongside the 1990s, when England were incomparably dire. In football, this would have heralded an ugly campaign of hooliganism. But the BA endured and came through it smiling and singing. Some former England crickets captains are greatful for that. In terms of originality and wit, what exactly were you Aussies expecting? Cambridge Revue? Footlights? I think the BA has done a fine job; above and beyond......
Complain about this postIn terms of general fan behaviour I think there will always be elements in a crowd who will push the limits - though Andrew wearing a Germany shirt to an England cricket match , in the Barmy Army stand , could be construed as provocative mate ...
Complain about this postI have been to day one and day two of the Sydney test. I would like to point out that the stewards whilst not rude are over assertive, they move people along for no apparant reason and without a smile on their faces. if a beach ball goes near them they pop it which can only antagonise. The Barmy Army have been nothing but polite and non threatening whilst the stewards seem to be the opposite. Australians have a lot to learn about managing events such as this. Why do the police need to be so visible and dressed in para military style uniforms? Low alcohol beer is sold but full strength wine! Where is the sense in that? Aussie's and Poms get on well but security is ridiculous, living in Australia i know that Aussies truly believe all we do is fight......this isn't the 80's!!!!!
By the way, the Barmy Army do watch the cricket, it is possible to sing and watch at the same time.
Complain about this postHaving been to a lot of the games in 2005 and 3 days in Adelaide, I think the support has generally been brilliant, by both sides. In Edgbaston last year I was drinking with a lot of Aussies having a lot of fun and banter.
Complain about this postThis year my very white legs received numerous applauses and banter from the aussie crowd - all good natured. For 2 days in Adelaide we were near the scoreboard and the hill, where the Barmy Army and a load of Aussies were sitting, watching, singing and giving a bit of banter to each other. The only trouble I saw was generally after 5pm where young aussies couldnt handle the beer anymore and were escorted out.
The BA for all their bad publicity are also cricket followers. I saw a lot of them clapping Punters 100, applauding McGrath walking to fine leg after a great over. I enjoyed my 3 days in Adelaide-I didnt feel threatened, I didnt cause offence and for the 3 days I was there, England generally played well!!
As a Pommie down under for four years I have to say that the aussies (bless 'em) are only guilty of taking this far too seriously. They seem to think that beating England at a sport which is only played (to any decent level) by five other countries (and one of those is New Zealand!) was some kind of measure of superiority. They were soooooo worried that the grounds would be dominated by the Barmy Army - and that this might make a difference to the results - that they mobilised whatever means they could to try to ensure that all the fans were aussies. The aussies might have won the cricket - easily, but when it comes to the fansm the English have beaten them hands down in every way.
Complain about this postHi 'Bored with the army' No 5
Complain about this post'spare me this drivel that all the lager swilling, red faced, beer-bellied, fair-weathered English cricket 'supporters' are more passionate than other supporters from other countries'.
Thanks for your wonderful comment! I was present at the Oval (thats the proper Oval not the Aussie version) for the final Test of the last series (last day) and had the 'good fortune?' to be sitting next to a group of Aussies who started the day at 9.30 with a couple of Lagers and continued with more Lagers and raucous good humour until the start of play when 3 of the party almost immediately slumped into a drunken sleep to be awoken momentarily by the noise when Peiterson reached his century, where upon one belched, threw up down the back of his compatriot sitting in front of him and again subsided into oblivion. Both he and one of his other sleeping mates were left there by their friends at the end of the Game. Nice Touch!
At least the Barmies get to the end and support their players!
I don't think that england supporters should take the heavy handed approach by the cricketing 'authorities' in oz personally.
My opinion is, that the patronizing attitude shown by cricket NSW is just another example of how much of a 'politically correct' and over governed country australia has become. which is a world trend...
Don't take it personally you poms. Us aussies don't like being treated like babies either.
Personally,...I blame GWBush...
Complain about this postI was at Perth on the 3 day and I thought that the Stadium Nazis were a bit heavyhanded ejecting people, both Skippys and English on whim, but the best thing I saw was when a Skippy threw an orange at the Hogmeister (which missed) and Hoggy just shrugged it off, but the Skippies made sure they man got their man and he was duly evicted - their sense of knowing when the line had been stepped over was admirable.
Ps I was at Perth on day 3 when we lost in 2003, but was also at the Oval last year when we won - roll on 2009, should be interesting then.....
Complain about this postI think this is another clear case of if the aussies aren't the best at something they don't like it!
The barmy army are the best fans in the world, and support their team no matter how they are doing! You only have to look at the way the south africans booed Graham Smith when he spilled a catch to see the southern hemisphere support. It will be interesting to see now Australia have lost some key players, how both their team and supporters react!
Complain about this postBring back the streakers, i say!!!!
Complain about this postI dont usually post on these thing but reading this garbage has forced me too. Whats wrong with thanking fans for not behaving badly??
Complain about this postmaybe england could learn a thing or two from this when idiots throw full beers cans at michael bevan and hit him in the face at lords - an absolute disgrace. I was in Adelaide and we had to listen to the barmy army for 5 days raving on about how the beat us in whit and singing.... big deal AUSTRALIA doesnt care for singing and that is a fact!!! we go to watch the sport and appreciate the skill..... get over yourself
Re the Army - Would Cricket Australia please identfy known trouble makers from the Boony Army ahead of 2009 - no need - they won't be travelling in such numbers will they?
I was in Melbourne in 1994/5 when it had just evolved (the General and about 15 others) - it has provided much needed support to England over the last 10 years and it won't be going away - GOOD !!
Complain about this postto poster 21. Is your name honestly Bruce?
Complain about this postI think that cricket australia only made such a big deal about english fans, so that they could divert attention from certain members of australian crowds who are often racist to the opposition team, cricket australia have spun the australian fans to be innocent.
Complain about this postProfessor, if the BA has provided "much needed support" I shudder to think how dire your team must be without the BA's heroics.
Complain about this postOr perhaps the Army is just doing more damage than good, and the ranks of alcoholics just can't accept it because it would mean having to actually behave for once.
Just to ensure the record is straight on this one.
Yes Michael Bevan got hit in the face and yes it was at Lords. But even if beercans are banned, there's nothing much stewards anywhere in the world can do if someone is determined to throw "something". Also should be noted that it wasn't England playing that day...it was Pakistan.
As for Australians being not bothered about singing...why bother telling us that when you've given the world Jason Donovan and Kylie - it's fairly apparent...
Complain about this postWhats all the fuss about the barmy army singing, dont the aussies play football?? Us english have always sang and danced at sporting events, probably cos we are crap at them so the fans have to entertain themselves in some way!! and what about the noise the pakistanis make when they come to our grounds with their horns and whistles, u dont here us complaining about that. Come on aussies lighten up and enjoy it!
Complain about this postHave Cricket Australia had trouble with other sets of visiting fans in the past ? or has the reputation of Englands travelling football fans given them inaccurate food for thought ?
Complain about this postThe article suggests that the announcement issued by Cricket Australia was designed to foster harmony and respect between the supporters. That this is naturally desired by the A.C.B. goes without saying but it is not the principle reason behind yesterday's announcement.
Over the last twenty years I have frequented Tests, One day internationals and First Class fixtures at the S.C.G but it is only in the last 5 years that I have been so alarmed at the rapidly declining standards in social behaviour that I have lost the enthusiasm to attend. Fuelled by alcohol but in equal measure an increasingly indulgent individualism that puts the self and gratification of the self in front of any respect for others.
If I want to be pulverised by promotions I'll go to the mall, If I want to have my ears blasted by high voltage music I'll head to an altogether more appropriate venue and if I want to watch the cricket, well it increasingly looks like I'll do that from the comfort of the lounge room in the future.
My view is not an isolated one and as true of other venue's around the world as it is Sydney.
I suspect however my comments are like pissing in the wind in this commercially driven world that cricket is now wedded to. At least I share that experience with some of today's intoxicated cricketing patrons.
Peter, Sydney
Complain about this postAs a "paramilitary-style uniform" wearing worker at the Sydney test (and a Pom to boot), I think the crowd behaviour has been excellent and the atmosphere fantastic, thanks in no small part to the BA. Most Aussies love their chants too, and have a laugh with the Poms about it, especially since they are so far ahead on the field. Even the players in the deep spend a lot of time watching the BA between deliveries (McGrath, Pietersen, etc). It sends a shiver down my spine when they sing 'God Save YOUR Queen' and the other BA greatest hits. If we can't beat them in the game, we can at least show them how to have a good time losing!
Complain about this postThe Barmy Army are great for cricket.
Complain about this postI was in it only for a day in the 2nd test in Adelaide and it was so much fun. Towards the end of the day the ozzies came to join in with the army as they said it was more fun than being in the ozzy area! Despite the amount of stick they got it was all good natured and they gave as good as they got!
My girlfriend who came to "watch" the cricket for the first time was amazed at how both supporters mixed so freely without any trouble and commented that you would never see that at a football game in England!
Long live the barmy army!
It's football where you get all the hooligans not cricket.
A minority of England fans in Germany last summer had arrived purely 2 cause trouble. 17 litres of alcohol didn't help either.
Complain about this postI think it's ridiculous that only 8 people getting evicted from a sporting event can be seen as good. How many peolpe were evicted from football matches all over the country over the festive period? I don't recall hearing of any (although I'm sure there probably were one or two somewhere) and that was from crowds of a lot more than 46000, and in games that meant something, not in the middle of a meaningless test with three days left to play. I've been to many major sporting events for over 20 years and I don't think I've ever been to any one event where more than 8 people have been evicted. I certainly have never been thanked for not being!
Complain about this postI was at the 3rd day at the MCG, sat right in the middle of the BA, and I've never been to a place with such an atmosphere. Unfortunately, this atmosphere died somewhat about two blocks either side of me, where the "fanatics" and "boony army" were sat. The dedication of the BA is amazing, determined to enjoy themselves and support their team to the full, no matter how they perform. And I did spend most of my day laughing at the wit coming from around me, not just the songs, but witty comments and one-liners.
Complain about this postBanter was pretty good between the two sets of fans, with many aussies laughing and taking the songs the way they're meant, as a laugh.
I also went to watch a football game a few weeks previously, the biggest A League gate ever for Melbourne vs Sydney, and the atmosphere was pretty poor there too, although the large number of expat europeans tried their best to wake the rest of the "supporters" up. So yes, maybe the Aussies are there to watch the sporting event, but part of the experience is creating and revelling in the atmosphere which usually emanates from a large crowd, something which appears to be severely lacking in Australian sporting crowds.
I went to the MCG Test and I thought the fans were very well behaved and the England fans created a very good atmosphere.
Complain about this postI actually felt that the England team has to up its game to match the kind of suppport it gets from the Barmy Army in particular.
I am in total agreement with Peter from Sydney.
I'm sorry but over the past 10 years the Barmy Army have been gradually ruining cricket as a spectator sport for me. Six hours a day of inane chanting is becoming unbearable. I don't want to be at a football match. I want to watch and enjoy the nuances of a game that at its best does last five days.
My impression is that the BA have no real interest what happens on the pitch, certainly the fool in the big top hat who cheerleads them is not even facing the ground. There is no real respect or love of the game - the singing did not stop or alter in any noticeable way when (I think it was) Symonds got to his 50 in the last test. It is all very well supporting your team but there has to be respect for the game, fellow spectators and the the opposition.
As for watching it at home - the ground microphones are far too loud on Sky's coverage. I am frankly amazed that there has been so little trouble as sitting at home in England I have been driven to distraction and a supreme desire to attack my television by the constant repetition of "Barmy Army" and "We are the Army".
My only consolation is that for some reason, probably because the grounds are smaller, their impact on English grounds does not seem as great.
Charlie, England
Complain about this postThe Aussies may have tried to stop the English buying up all the tickets - but it is clear at Sydney that this has been a massive failure and 70+% of the crowd is behind the English team. It's like a home fixture. Who goes to Tests in Australia when England aren't touring?
Complain about this postTo Adam
Just think how much further in front of the world Australia would be if they had the same support -Aussie Aussie Aussie doesn't get you far but 8 or 9 high class players obviously does
Lets not forget that the standard of cricket in this series is the real issue but for entertainment value the BA stands tall - I spent a day last season at Lords sat in front of 3 theatre producer types and they bored the chest off my son and I - give me Jimmy Saville any day
Complain about this postSpeaking as an Aussie, the crowd support that England receive, no matter what sport, is absolutely incredible. Australian authorities are just not used to this kind of behaviour. Aussie fans are passionate for their teams but, maybe it's the climate, or the she'll-be-right attitude of most Aussies, they do not do the high-energy support that the English fans enjoy. Aussie fans could learn something from the barmy army. The fan-atics are doin a splendid job to pick up the supporters pace, but I think English supporters will never be overtaken for the energy they put into supporting. Its brilliant to watch.
Complain about this postI went to three days of the Adelaide Test and sat on the hill next to the Barmy Army. I did not find them offensive or disruptive, but ultimately I found them to become rather boring as time went on.
My impression is that the BA has become rather self-indulgent these days and are more interested in chanting songs about themselves rather than actually watching the cricket. In years gone by they were unique, witty and amusing but now they appear to see themselves as the main attraction at a Test match. This was highlighted at the end of the Melbourne Test during the awards ceremony when they showed a complete lack of class and manners that you would hope to see at a cricket match.
A point to remember though is that the BA does only account for a small portion of the total following of England fans in Australia. Many are out there enjoying the cricket and having a fabulous time without joining in with the self-indulgent and inane "Barmy Army Barmy Army" chanting.
Complain about this post"Just think how much further in front of the world Australia would be if they had the same support. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie doesn't get you far, but eight or nine high class players obviously does."
Cricket is a competitive game. Cricket matches are almost invariably won by the skill and calibre of the players on a particular team. It is ludicrous to assert that Australia would be so "much further in front of the world" if they had support similar to that of the Barmy Army. Not a shred of evidence is advanced to substantiate this allegation. Australia are currently the best team in the world and to suggest, without any substantiating evidence, that the mind-numbing anthems of an Antipodean Barmy Army would somehow consolidate this position is to lose sight of the dominance Australia have enjoyed (without the backing of a strong cadre of supporters) over the past three decades. Once we even begin to acknowledge that supporters (as opposed to players) influence the results of matches, we tread on very shaky ground indeed. In any event, is the reverse of the Professor's thesis also true ? Would the English performance have been even worse (i.e. innings defeats in all four tests) if the Barmy Army had not been present ? I doubt it. But what do you think ?
Complain about this postI for one will be glad when the Ashes series is finished - purely because it will be an end to having to listen to the Boring Army's chants about themselves.
Complain about this postFAO Insightful
Never suggested crowd support influenced the eventual outcome of a Test Match played over 5 days. Test Macthes AND ODI's are won by the best teams on the day and of the moment. Australia would beat England in front of 100,000 partisan England & Wales cricket fans - I just get fed up with people knocking the BA (most of them genuine cricket fans) who want an entertaining day at the cricket. You cannot deny that Team England have always been quoted as acknowledging the support thy receive abroad as being of special value. Would England have beaten Australia in Melbourne in 1998 - ask Dean Headley - I think they would of just rolled over - they were already 2 or 3 nil down
In summary No they don't decide Test Maches and YEs Australia would love to have them behind them
Complain about this postThe barmy army are a royal pain in the a**, and that's only during TV coverage. I can't imagine what it is like to have to sit anywhere near them for a whole day's cricket. Notably, they sing mostly about themselves...
Complain about this postI reckon the administrators are just being positive and pro-active - which I realise is something many of you poms find difficult.
Complain about this postI think this article misses the point. Don't you think it is very strange that the Australian authorities should be so scared of a fan group who have no past history of crowd trouble (something the Aussie fans cannot claim, I'll talk about later)? Especially seeing as the last ashes series there was no trouble WITH musical instruments (I think). Personally, I think the situation was very simple. There were 3 reasons why the Aussie authorities made such a fuss:
1. Believing the Barmy Army lift the England players they were desperate to split them up and reduce ticket allocations.
2. It put the English fans on the back foot and immediately distracts from the job at hand.
3. It distracts from Aussie fan trouble. Was at the last ashes series in Aus and was appalled at the behaviour of a small but significant section of the Aussie fans. Saw 6 carried out for fighting/drunk behaviour in a single day. Friends of mine who were at Adelaide and Melbourne said they saw similar scenes. I also think the MCG almost got removed from the test circuit for it's fans behaviour. Would have to check.
Australians are very professional and serious about their sport and the public and press very supportive, eg. "is this all they've got", "go shout and cheer outside their hotel to deprive them of sleep". They also have realised over the years how to get at sides before the competition starts, try to outpsyche the opposition or put them on the back foot by making accusations, eg. McGraths bunny comments, the endless number of ex players who are forthright with their opinions. By putting the opposition on the back foot like that they automatically put them under pressure and take their mind of the job.
So, in short. It was just typical diversionary tactics. But having done so, and the hype being just that, you have to apologise or offer congratulations to save face or admit you are just trying to outpsyche/wrong foot the opposition. Remember the RWC.
Complain about this postBarry
Complain about this postHow many Football fans wouldv`e been ejected if there was alcohol and mixing of the fans.I doubt none as there wouldv`e been full scale riots. and hundreds of arrests
People make such a big deal of the ashes its just a series.
Complain about this postMy two year old son reflects the majority of the population in the UK, he doesn`t care about sport. Thats why we don`t win.
Complain about this postApart from football which generally attracts the lower intellectual classes, all the others have only a gentle following, sport has no social significance and never will that`s a fact do your homework look it up.
Young countries which lack an identity like to make a impact so they will at least be recgonised.
EXAMPLES:
1: AMERICA: PATROLS THE WORLD LIKE A JOHN WAYNE FILM (THE GOOD GUY ) LOOKING FOR A FIGHT WITH THE BAD GUY(THE INDIANS) TO HAVE A FIGHT WITH. THEY DON`T LIKE TO TALK ABOUT VIETNAM.
2:AUSTRALIA:SHANE WARNE
To post 33:
Complain about this postbarry- u say there were probably no more than 8 fans evicted from football matcches over the festive period- wat about at swindon bristol rovers football match and can guarantee more than 8 fans were kicked out of the ground, for throwing itemsincluding plastic seats!!
I think you need to show a lot less ignorance towards the BA..
I think they are brilliant for england cricket, and world cricket too, but perhaps a day at english test matches where pure cricket lovers can go to watch the days play, without all the fancy dress and noise..
I was at the day at edgbaston where it rained for most of the day ( unfortuneately) and the barmy army then were brilliant, we played cricket around the ground, and i enjoyewd that more than watching the cricket!!
So any claim that the BA spoil watching test cricket is an ignorant, and in some cases naive claim.
I just hope supporting your team never becomes an official sport in itself. We all know too well about sports invented by the English; they invariably become pretty bad at them:).
Complain about this postRegardless of what anyone thinks of the barmy army it seems that certainly the england players appreciate their boisterous support. Almost every interview post test match has seen an england player thank the army for their support (and unfortunately also apologise time and again for their own performance on the field). On the other hand I havent heard a single aussie commend their own home support.
Complain about this postIf you don't like the "Pommie-baiting" or the diversionary tactics, the solution is simple: WIN.
We have had it in the ear since the last series (and rightly so), and now that we have the urn, you have to cop your lot.
English fans sing, Aussie fans do not. What is the problem? It is simple sports banter, if you don't like the singing or sledging, go and watch snooker.
Complain about this postTo wwrpc
By using the term "lower intellectual classes" to refer to a significant section of british society would suggest that your two year old son is probably slightly better informed than you are.
Can you ask him to add a post please?
Complain about this postBruce, that was a Pakistani fan who through the can at Bevan. They were very badly behaved throughout that series. Thankfully things were much quieter this summer. But then, not many of them seemed to get tickets.
Complain about this postmost aussies have no problem with the barmy army. Far as i can tell the crowds have been fine from both sides. So much for the racism problems expected for Monty. He is the most popular english cricketer with the aussies, thats because he never stops trying no matter what, unlike some of the rest of his team.
Complain about this postLets face! I don't care what Aussies say about this but we are both the same. We want a winning test team with great support, we've got 50% and you want a winning test team with good support, you've got 50%. The difference is we will get that other 50%....will the Aussies, i doubt it!
Complain about this postAt first, it is cricket, just a game, which is not everything in life. So, misbehaving with the opponent supporters is something found in a foolish dictionary. In one sense, it is true that giving appreciation to the spectators for remaining peaceful and cool in the field is not bad; rather it might inspire the fans to keep themselves restrain from any odd behavior. However, it the authority does it intentionally inspiring its fans to irritate the opposition team’s supporter that the writer indicates in this article, then it is very bad for this gentlemen’s game.
Complain about this postHey Ive got an idea - maybe because you Poms have declared BA best supporters in the world old Betty Windsor can give them her highest honours. After all isnt that what you do to your pommy teams who beat us Aussies (once in a blue moon). Just a thought. Keep winning on the field Australia - let them do all the hot air stuff in the stands.
Complain about this post"By the way, the Barmy Army do watch the cricket, it is possible to sing and watch at the same time."
Yes, on my travels through Oz I've found that your regular Aussie does find it difficult to do more than one thing at a time, which can be quite funny...
Trouble for the rest of us of course, is that in sport the one thing that they concentrate on at a time they tend to do very very well!....
Complain about this postI think Warne is going to skittle us out, probably get at least 5 wickets in his last test innings...................Thank the lord he is retiring and a 5-0 whitewash for England in 2009!!!!! It will be "Nightmare on elm street.......Freddies revenge"( Willow street doesnt have the same ring to it!!
Complain about this postWhere are all the Barmy Army when you tour India, Pakistan and Bangladesh? I watch a lot of cricket but never seem to notice too many of them then. Wonder why that is? I guess if I had to live in England, I'd want to be visiting Australia in December too.
I had a heap of "barmy army" supporters sitting behind me in Brisbane. None of them had a clue about cricket and instead talked about football all day... Didn't even know what a follow-on was!
Complain about this postin response to bored with the army it's people with your arrogant attitude that do aussies a disservice. I was at the game yesterday and sat in amongst the barmey army and it was fantastic and apart from the odd loutish aussie was good humoured from both camps. to say that these people aren't paasionate is rubbish as i'm sure the tour will have come at great expense and alot of them would have known that we always had little chance of retaining the ashes against a side that is not only the best side in the world but was hurting like mad after their loss 15 months ago. How many timeswould you continue to support your country if you weren't doing well.....??
Complain about this postInterested by the comments re the Barmy Army and the fact they generally know nothing about cricket.(comment 62)..Why would they as cricket is only played in private schools among the privaledged, I believe it was taken out of the English Curriculum in 1956 when the UK was formed. The BA therefore enjoy a holiday during the winter in Australia , NZ or South Africa and why would an ordinary man in the street venture to the sub continent!! I believe it is sad that cricket has become marginalised in England but praise must be given to them for the Ashes win in 2005. However, all these idiots that say the UK doesnt win in sports are mad....only 8 countries have ever won a soccer world cup, they hold their own in Rugby and Cricket winning more than occassionally. They do very well in regular sports including athletics. Australia excel in generally cricket , cant think of much else of world interest and here in Australia all sports are open to all , not just a handful to a priveliged few..
Complain about this postGreat banter going on here, good natured and mostly funny.
The BA haven't invented anything new, but they are well organised. They are also very boring, their main chant is stolen from an American NFL movie, get out "Remember the Titans" on DVD and you will see what I mean.
The people who manage the cricket grounds understand that they need to cater for all people, as a young man I stood on the hill chanting with my mates, drinking Fourex Bitter. These days I sit in the air-conditioned corporate box drinking Chardonay. I thank them for letting me enjoy my day at the cricket both then and now.
Complain about this postkid in class at school....Wayne King....
Complain about this postThats a good idea -get rid of the BA. No more tickets for that lot. The next Ashes clash in Os we send the BA tickets to the Soccer clubs. After all the BA are waving a lot of soccer banners so they could leave them here to next time.
Is this what everyone wants?
Complain about this postTo the person(s?) who say that cricket AUST would do something as sinister as plan to spoil the BA's support plans, well, I can't help thinking it's just sour grapes for you poms. You guys will have to try to stop whinging, and face the reality of this series.
You lost. ~1st white wash in 80 years!!! (I'll bet my house this will be the result, as sorry old England have lost four wickets and are only 6 runs ahead!)
We have the urn.
let the BA sing their hearts out, i say! ....
Nothing else matters. *cheeky grin*
Complain about this postAUSTRALIAN AUTHORITIES SHOULD THANK THEIR OWN SUPPORTERS IF AT ALL THEY BEHAVE IN CIVILISED MANNER WHEN ASIAN TEAMS VISIT AUSTRALIA.
MONTY HAS TO UNDERGO A PSYCHOLOGIST TO BE PREPARED FOR WHAT IS KNOWN AS CERTAIN ABUSE FROM THE AUSSIE FANS.
COMMENT.
Complain about this postThis has to be one of the worse performance England has produced. What worries me is that captain like flintoff could land himself a huge embrassement when he returns home not winning one test. England selectors has to wake up from this bad tour. I think flecther has to go and why not employ an Australian coach?????. In this way England can learn alot quicker from their mistakes. Example batting techniques and also bowling techniques needs to be adjusted. Fitness level needs to increase as you can tell the England team looked unfit. If you want to beat Australia then you need to get more aggressive and train harder. Good Luck for 2009 and I hope England slaughter Australia 5 -0. Take Viarga might help.
Complain about this postEnglish fans - whether it be fans of cricket, football or rugby don't exactly have the worlds reputation as the most behaved crowds, now do they? In Australia, fans of opposition teams don't need to sit in a designated area of an arena to stop fights breaking out like they do here. Coming to Brit oval in '05 I experienced very tight secruity in the means of having bags checked, standing in a T formation (I saw some people being patted down, too) and being scanned for bombs. I'm sorry to say but the increased secruity is just a sign of the times and happens here too.
On another note, after Australia win the test 5-0, I doubt there will be such a fanfare as England got back in '05. No knighting half the team or a boozy celebration lasting weeks. No, Australia will go back to the drawing board, they already have years of players lined up ready to whoop England come next Ashes.
Complain about this postHmm...sounds like Cricket Australia propaganda to me. The next press release will claim that they were justified in selling mid strength beer in Melbourne and light beer in Sydney and that was the reason there was no crowd trouble as in previous years. I believe the real reason is that the events were all allocated seating, so groups of Aussie yobs were not able to congregate all together in one section and cause trouble as a group. There were plenty of 'lubricated' fans, myself included, however when with just a couple of friends behaviour is generally subdued. The Barmy Army, whilst clearly 'lubricated', are English and as such can take their beer much better than the Aussies and should not be confused with football fans who cannot!
Complain about this post'So yes, maybe the Aussies are there to watch the sporting event, but part of the experience is creating and revelling in the atmosphere which usually emanates from a large crowd, something which appears to be severely lacking in Australian sporting crowds.'
Obviously someone who hasn't been to enough live events.
Live cricket in Australia is just brilliant!
I've been to Tests in every Ashes series both home (Eng) & away since my first where I watched Graveney make 111 at the SCG in '55.
Whoever said that handing out scripts, for a mob to chant out - does not make them all witty - was spot on the money.
One thing I cringe to now - is when that monotonous chant starts up
Barmy army, barmy army, barmy army, barmy army, barmy army, barmy army....
Please!
I was fortunate enough to watch one day matches live in Australia and a Test at Brisbane (v West Indies) before our tour, where there was no Barmy Army.
Atmosphere was just wonderful.
Barmy Army is a Company. We tell the Australian's to lighten up; and yet our way of being 'light' is to go to the trouble of setting up a company that hands out scripts for mindless masses to chant. Boy o' boy talk about lack of individualism. Not so bad having to listen to it one or two seasons. But after years and years it wears thin.
Makes me laugh when people complain that the authorities are killing the fun when they restrict things at the venue. Well many patrons have loved the game for decades without needing to toot on horns and chant the same two words incessantly. We used to think poorly of such ridiculous antics if they happened in the Caribbean or the Subcontinent.
This superficial rot organised by a Company is just tiresome. We didn't seem to need that rubbish before - but now we riddicule other nations if they aren't likewise organised into mindless chant formations.
Wake up to yourselves. Last time I went to a one day match in Australia that didn't involve us (Eng) the atmosphere was wonderful. Any jolly crowd antics were sincere. Not scripted mindless garbage handed out by some Company.
If i'm asked at a future one day game in Australia, if i'm English - i'm saying: no no no i'm from Yorkshire
Complain about this postlol
The Aussies should open with Langer & Warne and have McGrath come in at first drop to score the winning runs!!! In all honesty although i follow the Aussies i think most Australians will feel let down by the performance of the English, and they can only improve and hopefully pick up in time for the home series in 09
Complain about this postreply to 62....
....there were at least 5000 England supporters in Mumbai in March...the Barmy Army were awesome, chanting, dancing and singing in a five-day contest with some of the most enthusiastic and noisy cricket followers in the World...at one point when the BA were in full voice Harbajan Singh was fielding on the boundary and desperately gesturing to the 'Bharat Army' to sing louder....
peace & love
DRDx
Complain about this postIt would not surprise me if the organisers and members of the Barmy Army make a request for an MBE or Knighthood at some stage soon given the self-congratulatory and self-obsessed nature of their messages and statements!!
It seems English and world cricket is all about the Barmy Army now, and anyone who does not congratulate and praise them for their 'fantastic brilliant witty entertaining' performances wherever they travel is simply a spoilsport who does not understand what cricket is all about.
God only knows how cricket managed to survive over 100 years without the Barmy Army.
I suppose though that it is only fair they do get an MBE, especially as Paul Collingwood also has one!!
Complain about this postAs an aussie myself i think that the Barmy Army add great atmosphere to any game of cricket and only with that our supporters could match their level of enthusiasm and awesomeness.
If we can improve our barmyness and you poms can get the whole playing cricket thing right then im sure 2009 will be a series to remember!
Complain about this postI think, for the BA it's all about them. They don't care what's happening in the middle. They just want to drink, sing, talk & yell, in other words, party!. I don't think at any point of the game they would even know what the score is and who is playing. The thing I don't understand is, if you just want to party, why spend so much money and travel across continents and make an ass of yourself??? May be that's english way of partying...! People go to games for the experience of it. Fun is good during breaks. BA can do all they want may be during drinks, lunch, tea etc. But if one is going on from morning till evening, they should be evicted...!
And there is nothing wrong or it's out of the ordinary appreciating good behaviour. With all the racism and BA hype (and post 9/11), of course any authority will be concerned with security.
bottom line is, just enjoy the game in it's true spirit... which is hard to find these days...
... that's my 2 cents...
Complain about this postI was at the Nottingham Test in 2005 and the first day of the Melbourne Boxing Day Test, 2006. Even with 89,000 people at the MCG and the Barmy Army in attendance, the place was NOT buzzing. I have never seen so many spectators retire to the Bar so early in the day and apart from Warne's 700th, the atmosphere for most of the day was subdued; plenty left either side of the tea break. If the crowds in Sydney and elsewhere have been so well behaved it is because the cricket has been so one-sided and inevitable. No songs from BA or dumb ozzie, Aussie ozzie, can lift what has been a huge and disappointing let down of a series. As an Australian mate said to me in Melbourne, "it is strange how quickly we are feeling sorry for the Poms again" I can hardly believe Nottingham actually happened such a short time ago. Oh well better be off and well behaved I suppose...
Complain about this postI hate to say it again and again to poms but we watch sports where things happen in this country ( ie aussie rules) and have no need to sing songs to entertain ourselves. the barmy army sing the same songs over and over and think themsleves witty- then so is a stuck cd!
Complain about this postI was at the SCG yesterday 3rd day of the test.
The only person I saw being ejected from the stadium was an Australian and to top this off the only people I could hear making provocative, rude & racial remarks were Australians trying to get the England fans sat around them to bite.
But on a good note an Australian chap did came up to the group of England supporters I was with and apologise for the behaviour of his fellow country man
Complain about this postIN RESPONSE TO 71
I have lived in Australia for five years, in that five years i have seen Origin, AFL, NRL, Test and ODI's. I have watched Aussies fight with each other over and over and over and over again. I have seen full strength beer pulled from the SCG. I have heard racism++++ (look at your immegration policywhich has filtered down to the individual). Football fans don't have the best reputation but in fact i would say that the % of those that fight is about equal to those here in Australia but rarely actually in a ground unlike you lot. As for cricket and rugby fans you must be joking! RWC was trouble free and not segregated and BA don't have a violent record at all.
Complain about this postDaniel King, You have got to be kidding me! Face facts, English sporting fans have a bad reputation. I am Australian and have been attending cricket, Australian Rules and Rugby Union matches for 25 years. I have never seen walls pushed onto opposition players or seen chairs ripped up and thrown at opposition fans as I have seen in London. I've seen one fight in all that time attending our unsegregated sporting fixtures. We have not had our fans banned from sporting events in other countries like the English have. We don't sing songs about the war to bate oposition fans. All this rubbish about how Panesar was going to be racially abused and it never happened. If you guys put as much energy into developing your cricketers as you do throwing mud at us Aussies, you might just be able to compete. And another thing the BBC article entitiled "what went wrong" is a joke. All the excuses in the world and not a word about being beaten by a better side. No wonder the Aussie team wanted to rub your collective English faces in it!
Complain about this postWell having "experienced" and seen the Barmy Army in action at the MCG, its with relief with the "quality" of a very small percentage of Barmy Army members that managed to get drunk and out of control that there was not any trouble. Bare chested with mohican hair styles. What is it about English Fans and their shirts? Also the rudeness at times carrying on with their "We are the Army theme tune" just bored us Australians to tears. Did they ever stop and appreciate the cricket. My own opinion was not very often it seems. Australians love their sport and appreciate it for what it is. No need to carry on. The "Army was told to sit down and deliberately stood up. Even in Melbourne after the match had finished and post match interviews were taking place in front of the members pavillion they did not have the decency to stop the mindless chanting. I did think the bugle player was greatAs for tickets not being available there were plenty on the day the Army were selling for $20 a pop on the third day fo the 4th test at the MCG. There was plenty of walk up seats available. Just turn up. There was 244,000 seats sold in three days at the MCG. As an Aussie living and working in Engkand for the past two years, your grounds are pathetically small with limited crowd capacity. Trying to get a ticket at Lords even as a member of Melbourne CC was an impossible task unless you parted with £600 scalped ticket. Most "real" English cricket fans would find it much easier and cheaper to fly to Australia to see at least on game. I must agree the fans did get on which was great to see. As for Monty being worried about Aussies giving him a hard time, like Flintoff who gives his all Australians fell in love with him and admire them both right from the start.
Complain about this postIf you asked the members of the current England cricket squad whether they would be prepared to jettison the Barmy Army in 2009 in return for a 5-0 whitewash of Australia (and you promised to guarantee the confidentiality of their respective responses), how do you think, to a man, they would respond ? The reality is that the Barmy Army are a cacophonous appendage to the main event (the game of cricket on the field) and that England would perform just as effectively (or ineffectively) without them. Fuelled by an excess of Sky coverage, the Barmy ones have an inflated view of their own importance within the overall scheme of test cricket.
Far better to focus on the issue of whether the coach on the receiving end of the first whitewash in more than three quarters of a century should be retained. Admittedly, he piloted England to Ashes victory in 2005. But, having tasted success and failure over the past two years, perhaps it is time for him to move on. Just as Australia will have to re-shape its team in the wake of the four recent departures, perhaps a fundamental change of approach is required in order to place English cricket firmly on the rails again.
Complain about this postI think the Aussies were fearful that the Barmy Boys would act like English and Scottish soccer fans known to terrorise wherever they travel.
Instead these visitors were terrific. Raucous but law abiding. Phew!
Complain about this postYou Pommies are living in a dream world!!
Complain about this postTalking up your team. Again and again and......
He's good, i'm good, they're good,wake upto yourselfes.. your too sporty! If Lord Nelson, Ye Old Winston and others of yesteryear had have been "sporty' you would not have won anything?
Down here you'r a joke!! Being talented isn't
everything. Nose to Nose,mate,give and take,
then give em' some more,if your down on your face, get up on your elbows with the willow in your
teeth and hit a single. Respect, Ah, for the Brits,
over here is now a shrug of the shoulders.........
if you pay us to shrug.Ashes to Ashes, Dust to...
Your too soft.
why can't we have a mystery virus that affects the whole squad for the next couple of months............then we can at least save the embarassment of being humiliated every time we take to the field.
Complain about this postCharles Hartley