Despite Bazball's Implosion, the Loyal Fan Group's Band of Ashes Veterans Is Unmoved.

Take heart, fan. Ben Stokes's team might be approaching the next Ashes Test now 2-0 down, but not all in English cricket is deterred. There is one unit perfectly suited for this scenario, a crack(pot) unit who are arguably the quintessential experts in defeat. Are hopes dashed? Is the disappointment beneath the burden of crushing defeat? In that case, enlist with the Barmy Army.

Early Arrivals Converge on an Anniversary City

As we speak, their advance guard are gathering in Adelaide, the city where they were established 30 years ago. England's most famous – and per capita most vocal – travelling fans will be dreaming of an celebratory against-all-odds victory, like the one they saw on that mid-90s tour. And regardless of the result on the pitch, off it the parties will be protracted and hearty.

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

Despite Bazball's nuclear implosion fails to deter this band of seasoned campaigners. They've been observing England's innings meltdowns since before the latest star were born. They've observed more dropped catches than some bowlers have international dismissals. Their touring history as an Ashes supporters' club stands at: played 37, lost 27, won 6. Those who knows how to weather a series sweep, that would be the founding members.

A Ubiquitous Sight On Screen

Without a doubt, on television, the Barmy Army are seen to be ubiquitous in this contest. TV directors at the grounds frequently appear more interested in the Barmies than in their own fans. TV partners regularly use them as banter-primed prelude to a day's play. Even the athletes on the field acknowledge them, as a fan dressed as a king starting a rendition of a patriotic song.

From Travellers to Institution

Perhaps that the Barmy Army's dual effect of longevity and omnipresence has now obscured quite how extraordinary their dominance of travelling fandom has been. Three decades ago a small group backpackers were drawn together in wry mockery of their team at England's woeful away record. Now their legacy is so linked with the England cricket that their boisterous, "unique" crowd is practically establishment itself. They've undoubtedly come a far since the initial chants.

One veteran still remembers the excited anticipation of the first Test of that formative tour. With the hosts on top, he led a six-person conga in the stands, provoking the Australian supporters with a chant about historical figures. "The Aussie fans jeered at us, then threw drink containers – the kind of thing that we sometimes receive today," he says. "Yet when we got back our modest following of England followers had all joined in."

Earning Appreciation On the Field

After defeat, England's tour faced further difficulties. Anyone travelling with the team around the country surely was slightly mad. When it came to the later Tests their numbers had grown significantly. The players, however, truly appreciated their support at the grounds. When England pulled off a notable triumph, a star summoned a supporter up to the players' area to join in the revelry. That bond has endured.

An Changing Business

Additionally, the sheer numbers the Barmy Army can conjure are as attractive to the cricket authorities as they are to overseas venues. On this tour alone, their travel packages will bring thousands of paying travellers. All kinds of celebrations are planned for the 30th anniversary.

This is, ultimately, an group born of cricketing passion and business acumen. The reason they date themselves to a particular match is because that was when they started selling souvenir shirts. The short initial run was so quickly sold out – and lucrative – that it began a lasting enterprise. From that point, the co-founders have helped turn a group of mates into an respected travel company.

Modern Challenges

That carries its own complexities, notably at a time when sport is trying to lose some of its lads-lads-lads image. The Barmy Army's directors are keen to point out that a growing percentage of their travelling fans are now women. With societal shifts, the songs have had to get cleaner, too. "Language that were common 30 years ago you must avoid now, and that's as it should be," says a spokesperson. "We can't tell someone how to behave individually, but we will not promote songs that are offensive."

{A Quieter Future?

Will the Barmy Army evolve quietly? The mean age of fans is now approaching middle age – mirroring the original members, who have been happy to withdraw from the management. One founder is enjoying this tour purely as a fan – leaving young professionals to run the Barmy Army's digital presence. "You forget how hard it used to be to organise with each other," he chuckles. "Our method was all by shouting – 'everyone's going to the pub!'"

As for the current contest, the unlikely scenario of a historic comeback remains alive, which is very mid-90s indeed. Should England are defeated in Adelaide … well, South Africa next Christmas looks nice.