The first Test seems to be coming together from both fan and player points of view, albeit still without any help from the ACB.

As England played out of their skins to limit Australia's first innings, a figure in the region of 3,000 England fans showed just why they have the reputation of undisputed heavyweights among cricket supporters.

Still without a reserved area for the Barmy Army, increasingly more fans found their way into the same section of the ground during the course of play. With greater numbers came vocal harmony, humour and a level of patriotism only known to those who follow England tours abroad.

It was obvious that the England players could hear this support and we have no doubt that it played some part in the way they raised their level of play during the morning session.

The team was no different to that which lacked lustre yesterday, but the support was much more effective and it is no accident that heightened volume led to heightened levels of play.

You could tell the Aussies didn't like it.

Not at all.

Obviously, they had heard of the Barmy Army before we arrived. Funnily enough, Aussie fans' confidence in their own wit, humour and classic put-downs had been a little exaggerated; not unlike their media's confidence in a 5-0 series victory before the first weekend has even started.

The Barmy Army gave good and the Aussies just plain got. They didn't have a put-down to counter even the tamest outburst and the day ended with England – team and supporters – leaving the ground with an all-round points win.

The ladies got in on the fun as well.

The only prerequisite for membership of the Barmy Army is a sense of being "up for it"; if you are prepared to join in with the singing and chanting, you are guaranteed to enjoy the atmosphere and humour of the organisation.

Two nameless, but glittering new female Barmy stars are certainly well up for it, even if they did take things a little literally. Responding to chants to get their tits out for the lads, and surrounded by the antipodean plod, they saw absolutely no problem in doing just that.

God bless them for selflessly complementing what was more or less a perfect day for English cricket. If only more Barmy recruits could be encouraged to be just as altruistic, the series would be wrapped up already.

Sadly, we are still awaiting word from the ACB about dedicated seating for the Army. By today's performance, though, it hardly seems necessary.

© Barmy Army