Cricket 2021: Barmy Army plans recruitment drive on Aussie soil to keep Ashes grounds humming

Border restrictions threaten to dampen this summer’s Ashes series, yet the Barmy Army has devised a clever plan to take it up to David Warner and Co, as well as keep stadiums in full voice.

The fifth Ashes Test at Sydney Cricket Ground today. Pictured is leader of the Barmy Army Vic Flowers leading a chant in the crowds.

The Barmy Army have promised to give David Warner a hellish time this summer — even if their UK cohorts are all-but locked out of the Ashes.

Restrictions on international travellers coming into Australia look set to bury the hopes of thousands of English fans who had hoped to watch the cricket’s fiercest rivalry, prompting a nationwide Barmy Army recruitment drive to ensure Justin Langer’s men don’t have it all their way.

With Ashes tickets going on sale to the public on Monday, Barmy Army managing director Chris Millard has called on the million English ex-pats living in Australia to sign up and get singing, with Warner and star batsman Steve Smith again in their sights.

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Travel restrictions could leave the Barmy Army locked out of the Australian summer of cricket.

“Sadly it doesn’t look like at this stage we’re going to be able to come over, barring a short whistlestop tour if things going favourably in the Australian vaccine rollout,” Millard said.

“We’re still holding onto any little last drops of hope we can of getting over to Perth for the final Test to watch us win.

“But the Australian community we’ve got over there is fairly strong, so those guys and girls will be waving the flag very proudly.”

Smith and Warner were the two biggest targets for sledges from England fans during the 2019 Ashes in the UK, and they’ll again be front and centre when the local Barmy Army warm up the vocal cords.

“They’re the gift that keeps on giving the Australian cricket team. Obviously the pantomime villain David Warner will be bearing the brunt, and his pal Steve Smith will be taking a lot of the flak,” Millard said.

England's Barmy Army is always well received on Australian soil.

Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley stressed the importance of having a strong Barmy Army presence.

“It’s massively important, I think it’s part and parcel of any Test match but particularly the Ashes — it’s one of the ultimate rivalries in world sport,” Hockley said.

“The travelling contingent of the Barmy Army are what bring the atmosphere. I know they’re much loved by the Aussie fans and hearing all the really clever chants brings an extra edge to the competition.

“I must confess I have had a couple of days sitting reasonably close to the Barmy Army over the years.

“We’re really hopeful that come the summer, some people will be able to travel from the UK but in any event there’s around about 1 million British citizens living right here in Australia so we expect England to be extremely well supported.

“And we expect those members of the Barmy Army who are living locally to be turning out in full voice and they’ll be feeling they’ve got an additional responsibility to represent all of those that would absolutely love to be here but are unable to travel for obvious reasons.”

Originally published as Cricket 2021: Barmy Army plans recruitment drive on Aussie soil to keep Ashes grounds humming