Even Bazball's Implosion, the Barmy Army's Band of Ashes Veterans Is Unmoved.

Steady, fan. England's team might be entering the third Ashes Test now 2-0 down, however not all in English cricket is fazed. There is one collective ideally equipped for these circumstances, a unwavering unit who can lay claim to be the ultimate masters of adversity. Have your dreams been shattered? Are you crushed beneath the burden of failed hopes? In that case, rally to the Barmy Army.

Pioneers Gather on an Formation Site

Already, their early arrivals are moving in on Adelaide, the city where they were established 30 years ago. England's most famous – and for their size most vocal – travelling fans will be dreaming of an anniversary win-against-the-odds, like the one they saw on that historic tour. Furthermore whatever happens on the pitch, off it the revelries will be extensive and boisterous.

"The cricket's been extremely disappointing," one founder concedes, "but we're the lucky ones, because we're on holiday. It's perhaps harder for the people at home."

Despite a dramatic batting collapse can't shake this crew of battle-tested followers. They've been watching England's innings meltdowns since earlier than many current players started playing. They've witnessed more fielding errors than some bowlers have Test wickets. Their collective record as an Ashes away contingent reads: contested many, lost often, won seldom. The people who knows how to survive a series sweep, they are the long-standing fans.

A Ever-Present Force At the Ground

Without a doubt, on television, the Barmy Army are seen to be everywhere during this Ashes. Australian cameras at the grounds often appear more interested in the Barmies than on their own fans. Sports networks often use them as entertainment-focused prelude to a day's play. Remarkably the players on the field are heralding them, with a fan dressed as a royal figure leading a rendition of a well-known tune.

From Travellers to Establishment

It's possible that the Barmy Army's combination of endurance and visibility has now obscured quite how remarkable their rise of travelling fandom has been. Three decades ago a small group backpackers were brought together in comical humour about failure at England's dismal away record. In the present day their reputation is so intertwined with the England cricket that their vibrant, "unique" crowd is all but part of the furniture. They've undoubtedly come a great distance since the early days.

One original recalls the eager expectation of the first Test of that 1994-95 tour. With the hosts on top, he initiated a modest conga in the stands, provoking the Australian supporters with a tune about convicts. "Local crowds jeered at us, then threw rubbish – the stuff that we occasionally encounter today," he remembers. "However when we got back our small band of England followers had all participated."

Earning Respect In the Dressing Room

After a loss, England's tour continued to struggle. Those following the team around the country must have been slightly mad. By the time the Melbourne and Sydney matches their numbers had swelled significantly. The squad, however, came to value their noise at the grounds. When England secured a consolation win, a star invited a fan leader up to the victory celebration to join in the festivities. Such camaraderie has endured.

An Changing Business

But then, the large crowds the Barmy Army can conjure are as valuable to the sport as they are to overseas venues. On this tour alone, their travel packages will accommodate a significant contingent of fans on tour. Numerous celebrations are planned for the three-decade milestone.

This is, in the end, an group born of love for the game and business acumen. The logic they date themselves to a specific Test is because that was when they started offering branded clothing. The first small batch was so quickly sold out – and financially rewarding – that it launched a thriving business. From that point, the co-founders have helped turn a pub-based supporters into an industry-leading tour operator.

Modern Evolution

That brings its own complexities, notably at a time when sport is looking to shed some of its lads-lads-lads image. The Barmy Army's management are keen to point out that a sizable minority of their travelling fans are now female. With societal shifts, the songs have had to get more family-friendly, too. "Language that were acceptable 30 years ago you must avoid now, and that's as it should be," says a representative. "We can't tell someone how to behave in their own space, but we do not endorse songs that are insulting."

{A Changing Demographics?

Will the Barmy Army become more sedate? The mean age of fans is now nearing their fifth decade – like the founders themselves, who have been pleased to step away from the day-to-day running. One founder is savouring this tour purely as a punter – leaving a fresh team to manage the Barmy Army's digital presence. "You forget how challenging it used to be to communicate with each other," he smiles. "Our method was all by meeting up – 'everyone's going to the pub!'"

Regarding England's plight, the faint hope of a 3-2 turnaround persists, which is very mid-90s indeed. And if England are defeated in Adelaide … well, South Africa next Christmas looks nice.