Singing battle could rival the Ashes action

SYDNEY: Australian cricket officials are about to unveil their latest weapon to help Ricky Ponting’s team regain the Ashes — a song sheet with cheeky ditties about England’s players. The officials felt obliged to commission the songs after learning that the Barmy Army, England’s unofficial supporting squad, had printed the lyrics of their own chants for the 20,000 fans expected to travel to Australia for the series.

 

The Barmy Army, whose irreverent songs about Australia usually poke fun at the country’s convict past, were credited with helping England win the last Ashes series because they galvanised public support for the team.  Australian organisers decided they would have to come up with their own songs to ensure the Australian fans were not drowned out by the English.

 

So two local musicians were hired to write and record a series of songs that will be released to the Australian public before the first Test starts in Brisbane on November 23. Singing is not part of the culture for Australian sporting crowds, however. The Barmy Army have already taken note and vowed to sing even louder to win a battle that might be just as intense as the action on the pitch.