Barmy Army's peaceful invasion

While cricket, and the hope of victory, is central to their trip, these supporters seldom allow a bad day in the field to dampen spirits. Which is just as well, given England's generally horrible form through the nineties.

However, the team's best over-seas display for years - the 1-0 series success in Pakistan before Christmas - was witnessed by only a small band of travellers.

Tales of dodgy food (true once, perhaps, but now way behind the times), the lack of available liquor and a shortage of Western-style entertainment put off all but the hardiest adventurers.

But the travel companies still took a few of their regulars to Lahore, Faisalabad and Karachi and a small detachment of Barmy Army volunteers could not resist a scouting mission. Next time England visit Pakistan there will be more of both sets of supporters, provided last year's absentees listen to the stories of those who went and enjoyed themselves.

The 'Barmies' have, arguably, had a bigger influence on world cricket in recent years than anyone bar Hansie Cronje.

Unlike the bookie's friend, they have gone from strength to strength since forming themselves into a drinking, singing, sun-bathing collection of supporters on the 1994-95 Ashes tour.

Now, from Antigua to Auckland, one of the first questions asked by locals before an England tour is: "Are the Barmy Army coming?"

Although England attract a wide cross-section of travelling supporters, members of the Barmy Army are mostly in their twenties and thirties, mainly but not exclusively male, often have good jobs back home and are just the type usually associated with football hooliganism.

Yet members of this group have been praised almost everywhere they have pitched camp. Their exploits include raising money for deserving causes - and singing England to defeat or victory with equal passion.

England's players love them, too. After winning the Melbourne Test on the last Ashes tour, they rushed to acknowledge the cheering England fans. With Test cricket failing to put bums on seats in most countries, these travelling Brits are worth their weight in rupees, and several other currencies.