Even Bazball's Collapse, the Loyal Fan Group's Band of Seasoned Tourists Stands Firm.

Steady, trooper. Ben Stokes's side may be heading into the third Ashes Test now 2-0 down, however not everyone in English cricket is fazed. There is one unit tailor-made for these circumstances, a crack(pot) unit who consider themselves the quintessential experts in defeat. Have your dreams been shattered? Are you crushed beneath the weight of crushing defeat? Then it's time, rally to the Barmy Army.

Advance Guard Gather on an Historic Location

Even now, their early arrivals are gathering in Adelaide, the city where they officially formed 30 years ago. England's best-known – and by headcount most raucous – tourist followers will be dreaming of an celebratory against-all-odds victory, reminiscent of the one they witnessed on that historic tour. And regardless of the result on the pitch, away from the field the parties will be extensive and boisterous.

"The on-field action been incredibly disappointing," a veteran states, "however we're the lucky ones, because we're on holiday. It's perhaps harder for the people at home."

Even a dramatic batting collapse can't shake this group of hardened veterans. They've been watching England's batting collapse since prior to a new generation took the field. They've witnessed more dropped catches than star players have Test wickets. Their collective record as an Ashes away contingent stands at: contested many, lost often, won seldom. If anyone understand how to survive a whitewash, it's the founding members.

A Highly Visible Sight In Coverage

Certainly, if you're watching, the Barmy Army are seen to be everywhere this series. Australian cameras at the grounds sometimes appear more focused on the Barmies than on their own fans. Sports networks frequently use them as atmosphere-building lead-in to a day's play. Remarkably the cricketers on the field acknowledge them, as a fan dressed as a king leading a chorus of a patriotic song.

From Travellers to Pillar

It's possible that the Barmy Army's combination of history and omnipresence has now masked quite how extraordinary their rise of travelling fandom has been. Three decades ago a handful backpackers were brought together in good-natured humour about failure at England's woeful away record. Today their legacy is so synonymous with the England cricket that their vibrant, "unconventional" crowd is practically an accepted institution. They've undoubtedly come a long way since the initial chants.

One founding member recalls the excited anticipation of the first Test of that formative tour. With the opposition building a solid score, he initiated a modest conga in the stands, teasing the home fans with a tune about the past. "Home supporters hurled abuse at us, then threw plastic cups – the treatment that we sometimes receive today," he remembers. "But when we got back our little group of England followers had all participated."

Earning Respect In the Dressing Room

After defeat, England's tour faced further difficulties. Any supporter backing the team around the country surely was truly dedicated. When it came to the Melbourne and Sydney matches their ranks had swelled significantly. The players, however, came to value their noise at the grounds. When England pulled off a consolation win, a star invited a supporter up to the players' area to direct the festivities. That bond persists.

An Changing Operation

But then, the significant volume the Barmy Army can conjure are as appealing to the English game as they are to host grounds. At this Ashes alone, their official tours will bring a large number of fans on tour. All kinds of celebrations are planned for the three-decade milestone.

This is, after all, an group born of fan enthusiasm and commercial nous. The logic they mark their founding to a particular match is because that was when they started producing branded clothing. The first small batch was so instantly popular – and profitable – that it launched a lasting enterprise. From that point, the driving forces have helped turn a pub-based supporters into an industry-leading sports tourism business.

Modern Considerations

That creates its own issues, especially at a time when sport is trying to lose some of its rowdy image. The Barmy Army's leadership are keen to point out that a growing percentage of their clientele are now female. With societal shifts, the chants have had to get cleaner, too. "Language that were acceptable 30 years ago you can no longer say, 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 derogatory."

{A Changing Demographics?

Could the Barmy Army become more sedate? The average supporter age is now nearing middle age – mirroring the founders themselves, who have been content to withdraw from the daily operation. One founder is experiencing this tour purely as a fan – leaving newer staff to manage the Barmy Army's social media. "It's easy to overlook how challenging it used to be to organise with each other," he smiles. "We used to do it all by meeting up – 'everyone's going to the pub!'"

As for England's plight, the faint hope of a 3-2 turnaround remains alive, which is typical of their spirit indeed. In the event England succumb in Adelaide … well, the next tour looks nice.