The impact of the improved performance levels of the CLEAR Black Caps are being borne out in interest in the forthcoming tour by England.

Tickets went on sale for the public on January 1 and New Zealand Cricket's marketing manager Peter Dwan said that while most members of the public did not return to work for another two weeks yet, it was hard to tell exactly the level of interest.

This year was also different from recent seasons because there were no One-Day Internationals played in the December-January holiday period when Bangladesh toured.

"But the level of sales already would indicate a very good season," he said.

"For where we are at this time I am very pleased.

"There is no doubt that England are much more well supported than other sides and they contribute to some very good crowds when they are here," Dwan said.

Tour parties were expected to bring 1500-2000 people for the series while the Barmy Army, a loose-knit and completely unpredictable entity are expecting another 2000-3000 supporters for the tour.

"I have been dealing with the Barmy Army and their spokesman said that what tends to happen is that English fans who have been working their way on holidays through New Zealand, or who are permanently based here or in Australia, tend to join the tour and follow it.

"A lot turn up who are not even cricket supporters.

"My contact also said that he did know that a lot of the Barmy Army-types who would normally have gone to India did not go on the recent tour as a result of events in Afghanistan and were coming to New Zealand instead," he said.

NZC have also done their bit to ensure the Barmy Army do not take over Test grounds as they have in the past by forming a New Zealand equivalent, the Madcaps.

The Madcaps have had a leader already appointed, Christchurch comedian Patrick Duffy and in the weeks before the Test matches in New Zealand he will be visiting each centre to appoint members to the Madcaps in that city.

Prospective members at each ground will be provided with handout leaflets with the Madcaps chants on them to encourage people to take part.

"It is going to be a lot of fun," Dwan said.

A lot of other initiatives are planned and more information about these will be released later, he said.

© CricInfo