Even Bazball's Collapse, the Barmy Army's Group of Ashes Veterans Remains Unshaken.

Courage, fan. England's team could be entering the third Ashes Test now 2-0 down, however not everyone among supporters is deterred. There is one collective tailor-made for these circumstances, a unwavering unit who are arguably the quintessential masters of adversity. Are hopes dashed? Do you feel the weight beneath the burden of unmet expectation? Well then, join the Barmy Army.

Advance Guard Converge on an Historic Location

As we speak, their early arrivals are moving in on Adelaide, the city where they officially formed 30 years ago. England's most famous – and by headcount most vocal – travelling fans will be hoping for an triumphant anniversary upset, like the one they celebrated on that mid-90s tour. Furthermore whatever happens on the pitch, in the stands and bars the parties will be long and loud.

"England's performance been very, very disappointing," a veteran states, "yet we're the fortunate few, because we're on holiday. It's perhaps harder for the people at home."

Despite a spectacular team failure doesn't trouble this crew of battle-tested followers. They've been observing England's batting collapse since before the latest star started playing. They've witnessed more spilled chances than star players have international dismissals. Their touring history as an Ashes away contingent is: contested many, lost often, won seldom. The people who comprehend how to weather a clean sweep, it's the original supporters.

A Ever-Present Force At the Ground

Indeed, on television, the Barmy Army appear to be all over this series. Australian cameras at the grounds often appear keener to feature the Barmies than in their own fans. Broadcasters often use them as banter-primed buildup to a day's play. Even the players on the field acknowledge them, as someone clad as a royal figure leading a singing of a patriotic song.

From Travellers to Pillar

Perhaps that the Barmy Army's dual effect of longevity and omnipresence has now obscured quite how stunning their dominance of travelling fandom has been. Three decades ago a small group backpackers were drawn together in comical self-deprecation at England's dismal away record. Now their reputation is so linked with the men's Test side that their colourful, "unconventional" crowd is virtually part of the furniture. They've undoubtedly come a long way since the initial chants.

One original can picture the eager expectation of the opening day of that 1994-95 tour. After the hosts making a strong start, he started a small conga in the stands, teasing the locals with a song about convicts. "Local crowds hurled abuse at us, then threw drink containers – the kind of thing that we occasionally encounter today," he says. "Yet when we got back our modest following of England followers had all joined in."

Earning Respect In the Dressing Room

Following a loss, England's tour continued to struggle. Anyone travelling with the team around the country surely was barmy indeed. When it came to the Melbourne and Sydney matches their crowd had increased to the hundreds. Those on the field, however, truly appreciated their support at the grounds. When England pulled off a notable triumph, a senior player summoned a fan leader up to the players' area to lead the celebrations. This connection remains.

An Evolving Operation

But then, the large crowds the Barmy Army can conjure are as attractive to the sport as they are to international stadiums. For this series alone, their travel packages will host a large number of fans on tour. A variety of events are organised for the significant birthday.

This is, ultimately, an organisation born of cricketing passion and commercial nous. The logic they date themselves to a specific Test is because that was when they started offering branded clothing. The short initial run was so instantly popular – and financially rewarding – that it launched a commercial operation. Since then, the original members have helped turn a pub-based supporters into an respected tour operator.

Modern Challenges

That brings its own issues, notably at a time when sport is attempting to move beyond some of its rowdy image. The Barmy Army's leadership are eager to highlight that a sizable minority of their clientele are now women. As times have changed, the songs have had to get less offensive, too. "Language that were common 30 years ago you must avoid now, and that's absolutely right," says a spokesperson. "We can't tell someone how to behave in their own space, but we will not promote songs that are derogatory."

{A Changing Demographics?

Might the Barmy Army evolve quietly? The average supporter age is now nearing their fifth decade – like the founders themselves, who have been pleased 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 digital presence. "You forget how hard it used to be to organise with each other," he chuckles. "Our method was all by meeting up – 'everyone's going to the pub!'"

As for the current contest, the unlikely scenario of a 3-2 turnaround remains alive, which is classic Barmy Army indeed. And if England succumb in Adelaide … well, the next tour looks nice.