A Crowd, a community and a spirited supporting system
BY Pranavesh Sivakumar
The solitary cricket playing country with an official name for supporters. A crowd, a community, and, of course, an army. Ever- growing population, literally following and cheering the team, anywhere and everywhere.
When it’s a touring time for the men, it’s touring time for the followers, as well.
The group comes announcing, loud and clear, with song, dance and off-field action. Their presence is not only a morale boost for the team, also to the visiting country’s travel and tourism. In Lankan context, to the staring and struggling economy, the man-made madness and mayhem, the culprit. For the Sri Lanka’s saga since, Oct 26., what the state leaders have failed to do, the cheer leaders are doing so, within their means.
Sometimes, the Barmy Army threaten to outnumber the local fans, as in the case, at the SSC. In the times, they show-up, they do in large numbers. Meaning, they don’t come down in buses, like the paid political supporters having, little or no knowledge over the subject. Unlike, the laughing stocks, they arrive taking the aerial route, in style, in different batches. Again, unlike, the political audience they are refined, decent, dignified and admirably spirited. A dominance presence.
An adage reads, “Be a Roman, when in Rome”. But, this community are capable of redefining the adage. The crowd enter the field, unbothered and unafraid, even a wee a bit, to their comfort and convenience. Like an army enter a battle field. In their presence, they rule the place, run the off-field show and convert it to a home away from home. The group settles down so much, the site is as if they’re set for camping. Albeit, it’s the tent the sole item missing. They’re prepared with bags, baggage’s, portable chairs, pair of shades, and anti-sweat cosmetics to keep them cool in hot and humid conditions.
The English travelling support, set an example for not only for cheering and chanting, also for camping.
The tradition and culture, is slowly but steadily, turning in to a silver jubilee in two-years, according to Hanson, a member of the Barmy- Army. “Passion and pride prompts me to remain an ardent supporter”, he said to srilankasports, from the Western Grass- Bank, followed by a loud roar, as a wicket falls.
Queried as to why, half of the side was packed with new-found faces and names, “It’s about succession planning. The English Cricket Board (ECB), has a plan for that. If you see the test team, only the likes of Root, Broad and Anderson can be considered as seniors, to name a few. These old guards will guide and groom, so that, when their tank is empty, the transition phase would be under control”, said the Yorkshire resident.
“An estimated 5,000 members, and, at least 1,000 had come down”, divulged Hanson.
Action in the middle was reflecting, in the behaviour of the Barmy-Army. While, their side was entertaining their supporters, the supporters had decided to entertain themselves. A new kid on the block for the English supporters and, a man, had formed the empty beer cups to a larger-than-life line. Entertainment followed by education on non-polluting, a lesson for all.
At times, the beer overdose brings out the insane “streaker” in them. Not once, but twice-over, adding to the fun and frolic mood. On a surprising turn of events, the Barmy- Army had retaliated, issuing a strict and a stern statement, ordering its members to respect host country’s tradition, culture and not to invade the ground.
This time, the Barmy- Army contingent coming down was unlike, a matter from the past. An avertable mishap of booking had rubbed on the wrong side. The tour organising committee had committed a blunder failing to book for the teams’ and officials. Nevertheless, companies dealing the star hotel bookings for the contingent had bought rooms well ahead of time. Costing the stay for the teams and officials. However, when the situation came under control, it had already done the damage to the English fans, forcing them to relocate to other star accommodations’.
Despite efforts were taken to compensate the blunders, this had certainly left the fans furious and created a question mark over their future travels. Let alone the incident repeating or not, the incident had dealt a dent. And, if this repeats, irrespective of the country’s free-falling economy, will hit at least in few angles and aspects.
In one-aspect, though, locals and the English were birds of the same feather. It appeared, when the Lankans were crashing and crumbling after the rescuing partnership between the 2D’s (Dananjaya and Dimuth) was broken, certain spectators from the English support had thought that was all for the day. An iota of members, began to clean and clear every single litter. This admirable sight was preceded, when the locals had instigated the “responsible fan act” at Kandy and Khettarama, themselves.
Even, if other cricket-crazy countries, find and form their own support system, Barmy- Army, will be unmatched and unlikely to be matched. In Lanka’s case, pick of the hard core supporters might be “Percy”, one-man army at away assignments. From the neighbouring-nation, might be the “Indian Cricket fan” or “Sudir Gautam”, decked and decorated in Indian colours. But, none of these will stand and give a show against them, overshadowing is a long way.
Their legacy, liveliness and convivial is already etched in the gentlemen’s game as the “greatest supporters”. That’s why they’re the “Barmy Army”.
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