Despite Bazball's Implosion, the Loyal Fan Group's Group of Seasoned Tourists Remains Unshaken.

Steady, fan. Ben Stokes's team might be entering the third Ashes Test already 2-0 down, but some remain within the England setup is deterred. There is one unit perfectly suited for these circumstances, a unwavering unit who are arguably the quintessential doomsday preppers. Are hopes dashed? Are you crushed beneath the pressure of crushing defeat? Then it's time, join the Barmy Army.

Early Arrivals Move In on an Anniversary City

Already, their first wave are moving in on Adelaide, the city where they officially formed 30 years ago. England's iconic – and for their size most vocal – tourist followers will be dreaming of an anniversary win-against-the-odds, similar to the one they celebrated on that historic tour. Furthermore whatever happens on the pitch, off it the parties will be extensive and boisterous.

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

Even a spectacular team failure can't shake this crew of hardened veterans. They've been observing England's top-order failures since before a new generation were born. They've observed more dropped catches than star players have international dismissals. Their collective record as an Ashes touring group stands at: contested many, lost often, won seldom. The people who knows how to endure a whitewash, that would be the founding members.

A Ubiquitous Force At the Ground

Without a doubt, if you're watching, the Barmy Army appear to be all over in this contest. TV directors at the grounds sometimes appear more interested in the Barmies than on their own fans. Broadcasters frequently use them as entertainment-focused lead-in to a day's play. Even the athletes on the field acknowledge them, as a fan dressed as a king leading a chorus of a well-known tune.

From Travellers to Pillar

One could argue that the Barmy Army's combination of longevity and omnipresence has now overshadowed quite how extraordinary their takeover of travelling fandom has been. In the early 1990s a handful travelling fans were brought together in wry self-deprecation at England's dismal away record. Today their reputation is so linked with the England cricket that their vibrant, "unique" crowd is all but an accepted institution. They've definitely come a long way since the initial chants.

One founding member recalls the eager expectation of the series start of that formative tour. With the Australians making a strong start, he initiated a modest conga in the stands, teasing the Australian supporters with a chant about historical figures. "Local crowds shouted insults at us, then threw rubbish – the kind of thing that we still get today," he says. "However when we got back our modest following of England followers had all taken part."

Earning Acclaim From Players

Following an early setback, England's tour suffered more defeats. Anyone travelling with the team around the country must have been slightly mad. As the tour reached the Melbourne and Sydney matches their numbers had swelled significantly. The players, however, genuinely enjoyed their presence at the grounds. When England secured a notable triumph, a senior player summoned a supporter up to the victory celebration to direct the revelry. Such camaraderie remains.

An Evolving Institution

Additionally, the significant volume the Barmy Army can muster are as appealing to the cricket authorities as they are to international stadiums. For this series alone, their travel packages will bring thousands of paying travellers. All kinds of events are scheduled for the three-decade milestone.

This is, after all, an entity born of love for the game and entrepreneurial spirit. The explanation they mark their founding to a particular match is because that was when they started selling souvenir shirts. The limited early stock was so instantly popular – and lucrative – that it began a commercial operation. From that point, the co-founders have helped turn a fan community into an respected tour operator.

Modern Evolution

That creates its own complexities, especially at a time when sport is looking to shed some of its boisterous image. The Barmy Army's leadership are keen to point out that a significant portion of their travelling fans are now female. As times have changed, the songs have had to get less offensive, too. "Language that were common 30 years ago you cannot utter today, and that's correct," says a director. "It's not possible to tell someone how to behave individually, but we won't support songs that are derogatory."

{A Natural Mellowing?

Will the Barmy Army become more sedate? The mean age of fans is now in their fifth decade – similar to the original members, who have been content to distance themselves from the day-to-day running. One founder is enjoying this tour purely as a supporter – leaving a fresh team to populate the Barmy Army's online channels. "It's easy to overlook how difficult it used to be to communicate with each other," he chuckles. "It was all done all by meeting up – 'everyone's going to the pub!'"

As for England's plight, the unlikely scenario of a historic comeback remains alive, which is typical of their spirit indeed. And if England succumb in Adelaide … well, South Africa next Christmas looks nice.