Even Bazball's Collapse, this Barmy Army's Group of Ashes Veterans Stands Firm.

Courage, soldier. Ben Stokes's team may be approaching the third Ashes Test already 2-0 down, however not everyone among supporters is fazed. Exists one collective ideally equipped for such a situation, a unwavering unit who can lay claim to be the supreme doomsday preppers. Is optimism crushed? Are you crushed beneath the pressure of unmet expectation? In that case, join the Barmy Army.

Early Arrivals Gather on an Formation Site

As we speak, their advance guard are descending upon Adelaide, the city where they were established 30 years ago. England's best-known – and for their size most raucous – away supporters will be anticipating an triumphant anniversary upset, reminiscent of the one they witnessed on that 1994-95 tour. And whatever happens on the pitch, in the stands and bars the parties will be protracted and hearty.

"England's performance been incredibly disappointing," one founder concedes, "but we're the blessed group, because we're on holiday. It's perhaps harder for the people at home."

Despite a dramatic batting collapse doesn't trouble this crew of battle-tested followers. They've been observing England's top-order failures since before the latest star took the field. They've seen more dropped catches than key pacemen have career scalps. Their collective record as an Ashes touring group stands at: contested many, lost often, won seldom. The people who comprehend how to endure a clean sweep, they are the original supporters.

A Ubiquitous Force At the Ground

Without a doubt, for viewers at home, the Barmy Army do seem to be all over this series. Australian cameras at the grounds sometimes appear more focused on the Barmies than in their own fans. TV partners regularly use them as banter-primed prelude to a day's play. Even the cricketers on the field acknowledge them, as someone clad as a king conducting a singing of a well-known tune.

From Travellers to Pillar

Perhaps that the Barmy Army's combination of longevity and omnipresence has now obscured quite how remarkable their rise of away support has been. In the early 1990s a few travelling fans were united in comical self-deprecation at England's poor away record. Today their reputation is so synonymous with the national team that their boisterous, "maverick" crowd is all but establishment itself. They've definitely come a long way since the initial chants.

One original still remembers the buoyant hope of the opening day of that pioneering tour. With the Australians making a strong start, he led a small conga in the stands, winding up the locals with a song about historical figures. "Home supporters shouted insults at us, then threw plastic cups – the stuff that we sometimes receive today," he remembers. "However when we got back our modest following of England followers had all participated."

Earning Respect From Players

After defeat, England's tour faced further difficulties. Any supporter following the team around the country must have been truly dedicated. As the tour reached the later Tests their ranks had increased to the hundreds. The players, however, came to value their noise at the grounds. When England pulled off a face-saving victory, a team captain beckoned a supporter up to the victory celebration to join in the celebrations. This connection has endured.

An Maturing Operation

Additionally, the sheer numbers the Barmy Army can muster are as appealing to the sport 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 organised for the three-decade milestone.

This is, after all, an organisation born of cricketing passion and entrepreneurial spirit. The reason they trace their origin to a particular match is because that was when they started producing souvenir shirts. The short initial run was so quickly sold out – and financially rewarding – that it launched a lasting enterprise. Over the years, the original members have helped turn a group of mates into an major tour operator.

Modern Evolution

That brings its own complexities, particularly at a time when sport is attempting to move beyond some of its lads-lads-lads image. The Barmy Army's management are keen to point out that a growing percentage of their supporters on tour are now women. With societal shifts, the vocals have had to get less offensive, too. "Language that were acceptable 30 years ago you can no longer say, and that's as it should be," says a director. "We can't tell someone how to behave in their own space, but we will not promote songs that are offensive."

{A Natural Mellowing?

Could the Barmy Army mellow naturally? The mean age of fans is now approaching middle age – like the pioneers, who have been happy to withdraw from the daily operation. One founder is enjoying this tour purely as a fan – leaving a fresh team to run the Barmy Army's online channels. "It's easy to overlook how hard it used to be to communicate with each other," he laughs. "It was all done all by word of mouth – 'everyone's going to the pub!'"

Turning to England's plight, the impossible dream of a series victory still lingers, which is typical of their spirit indeed. And if England do lose in Adelaide … well, future travels awaits.