Barmy cracks over the sandpaper Aussies’ first test

The Barmy Army has revealed its plot to target the cricketers involved in last year’s ball-tampering scandal.

Barmy Army founder Paul Burnham.

England’s cricket cheer squad, the Barmy Army, has revealed its plot to target the Australian cricketers involved in last year’s ball-tampering scandal, as the Ashes get under way in the cauldron of ­Edgbaston tonight.

The vociferous Barmy Army — famous for its chants and colourful outfits — will target Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft in the first salvo of what promises to be a spicy series.

A Barmy Army t-shirt.

While Lord’s and some of ­England’s other cricket grounds are known for their stately and often staid atmosphere, the Barmy Army is promising to turn Edgbaston into a riot of colour and noise — all designed to put the Aussies off their game.

“They will have to put up with sandpaper-gate, I am afraid,’’ warned Barmy Army founder Paul Burnham.

“This is the most important rival­ry in cricket and it’s about giving our team the home advantage.

“We will be making as much noise as we can so the (England) boys can get the energy and give the Aussies a hard time, that’s what it’s all about.’’

There are new lyrics on members’ song sheets and the Barmy Army’s official commemorative Ashes polo shirt — and worn by the England supporters — is a quirky take-down of Smith, Warner and Bancroft.

The Cape Town three are depicted on a Cluedo-like board game known as “Clueless’’. According to the Barmy Army, the crime against cricket was committed by “All three of them. With the sandpaper. In broad daylight’’. Smith is depicted as suspect Ex-Colonel Cheat; Bancroft is Professor Liar; and Warner is the Reverend Loner.

Steve Smith. Picture: AP

David Warner. Picture: AP

There is no mention of Eng­land’s resurrected Ben Stokes, who was not only cleared of affray outside a Bristol nightclub — which meant he missed the last Ashes tour to Australia — but has been made vice-captain. He said it had been “weird with Aussies trying to be nice to you’’ and anticipated the pleasantness was a veneer that would be ripped away.

“There is always something that happens between teams in Ashes series and I don’t think this will be any different,’’ Stokes said.

“Both teams are desperate to win, both sets of players are desperate to perform because Ashes series are where you get scrutinised and criticised more, or praised if you do well.”

Often the Ashes Test matches begin at Lord’s but in this series the first match is at the crowd favourite, Edgbaston.

The Hollies stand at Edgbaston is revered as the loudest, most raucous fancy dress-wearing crick­et arena in the country.

The ground staff here have had a bit of fun too. Australia has been training under a scoreboard showing the humiliating World Cup result the last time the two teams played where England beat Australia by eight wickets, even though there has been some T-20 cricket, requiring the use of the scoreboard, in recent weeks.

While Australia hold the Ashes urn, they have struggled with English conditions and haven’t won an away Ashes series since 2001, when the team captained by Steve Waugh won 4-1.

Burnham said it was very important that England won what he believed would be a tight contest “because it gives you bragging rights in the pub’’.