Australian cricket crowds are often criticised for their lack of imagination, particularly during an Ashes summer when the Barmy Army visits our shores – we’ve just never really been able to create an Australian equivalent of the merry and musical group of fans which follow England around the globe.
That’s not to say Australian crowds aren’t great – far from it. But occasionally hurling rude chants the way of opposition sides doesn’t really stack up against the excellent songs of the Barmy Army.
Mexican waves are fine – although they can distract from, you know, the actual cricket – and beer snakes – despite facing the extermination efforts of groundstaff around the country – are excellent.
Neither fills the gulf between the two sets of cricket fans created by the Barmy Army, though.
But has that all – finally – just changed? Has Australia finally created an Antipodean version of the Barmy Army?
It’s possible. It may even be probable.
The Barbie Army is making its debut during this summer of cricket with the backing of Mitchell Starc, Mike Hussey, and renowned funny man and songwriter Denis Carnahan.
I know, I know, it also happens to be a branded idea, with Mastercard helping drive the concept. But, unlike other failed branded attempts to find our answer to the Barmy Army, the Barbie Army looks to be a genuine idea which will no doubt resonate with Aussie cricket fans.
After all, having a former leader of the Australian Test team song (Hussey) and the most fearsome bowler in world cricket today (Starc) gives the Barbie Army credence. But it’s Carnahan who could really turn the concept into a winner.
Australian sports fans no doubt remember Carnahan’s hilarious State of Origin anthem, That’s In Queensland. For those who don’t, spend the next two-and-a-half minutes watching this:
You’re welcome.
Anyway, that’s exactly the kind of irreverent, clever and funny song Australia needs to go up against the Barmy Army. With Carnahan being the chief songwriter for the new group, there’s every chance in the world that local fans will get among the fun of their own accord.
(Image: Supplied)
Now, I’d be wrong to write this article without mentioning the Richies, who have become a much-loved part of the Australian cricket summer over the past few years with their trumpets, Benaud-esque dress code and fondness of sinking schooners. Their presence at the Women’s Ashes Test at North Sydney Oval earlier this year really added to the atmosphere at the ground.
But they don’t really add much by way of witty songs and chants, particularly in the way the Carnahan-fuelled Barbie Army can.
Just take the recent ditty on Alastair Cook:
Why has Engerland
Selected Alastair Cook
If you’re playing in Australia
You have to be able to pull and hook
Not bad. Not bad at all.
Given how desperately Australian crowds across the country – and not just in cricket – have been crying out for some kind of musical, singalong aspect, I’m really hoping the Barbie Army can add something to this summer of cricket.
Twonko
Guest
Barbie Army? WTF? Is that even a real thing? One tip... stop the Aussie Aussie Aussie oi oi oi. You are just embarrassing yourselves? Twonk. Barmy till I die.
DavSA
Guest
I think it was 2004 , England toured SA . just prior to the Port Elizabeth test an enterprising businessman rented a premises in Rink street a few hundred meter's from St Georges Park opened a pub and called it "The Barmy Army " . To the credit of the BA supporters and management instead of invoking things like intellectual property rights etc . they took it in good faith and in fact it became a favorite post match destination for the majority of supporters . Good for them.
dave
Guest
In the jungle the mighty jungle Nathon Lyon sleeps tonight Or we just leave the songs to the English because they really are quite clever and we just chant" look at the scoreboard "over and over
Rostafari
Guest
I think Australia would be better to stick to winning at cricket rather than singing songs
Tony Tea
Guest
"Has Australia finally found its answer to the Barmy Army?" No.
Wayne
Roar Guru
As soon as you need Lyric Sheets, its bad. Organic Cheersquads that learn the songs by, you know, actually belting them out (out of tune, normally a pace behind) are why Barmy army is good. Geez, even the Indian version a few seasons back was only a "Quick, the camera is on us. Lets cheer and carry on".
marron
Guest
The FFA did try and take control at one point; the people trying to get something together saw the writing on the wall and largely said "no thanks". For this stuff to work it has to be organic. It requires commitment and you don't get that sort of commitment with a top down approach. The other important factor is that we just don't have a singing culture. I don't just mean at sporting events here - I mean in general. If you have a tradition of singing then your average person has the tunes and cadences built in, because every gathering is an opportunity for song, and there are standards that everyone knows and will sing without a hint of that fear of "looking like a goose". Famously though we don't even know our national anthem.
VanMac
Roar Rookie
We do have an answer...its called the Buckethead Brigade. Show up at the cricket in smart casual...put a kfc empty bucket on your head...then use intellect to outwit your opponent Facepalm
lesterlike
Guest
Hahaha nope. This is going to be just as cringeworthy as every single other attempt that Cricket Australia to try and create some new supporter group (always equally unimaginatively named as the "Something Army"as well). The group is invented by some marketing suit and brings on board a few popular current and former players, they get a bunch of PR from media outlets who turn up the parochialism, sponsors are offered to get a bunch of their logos slapped all over the area and some local nuffies are selected by CA to get together and overthink the whole chant creation part. Come match-day, everyone who turns up realises they have to go up against England Fans armed with only whatever garish head accessory CA has put on their seat and some witless high school swimming carnival style chants. Needless to say, it's a slaughter and the English delight themselves at this pitiful effort and mercilessly tear apart whatever self-respect those fans had. The exact same problem happens in Rugby Union with the equally lame Gold Brigade. I'm sure the FFA would try the same with Socceroos games if their fanbase wasn't so militant against this stuff.