You get to see some grand old characters in the Barmy Army section of the ground.

Today, the captain of the Henley Hockey Club veterans team and the secretary of the MCC golf society were both in residence.

In addition to the Army's continuous cheering, a troop of Elvis impersonators bashed out tune after tune to add to the carnival atmosphere on a red-hot day in Adelaide.

Although the Barmy Army often suspect the "Old Guard" of the MCC to have been playing out a grudge match against their more economy-minded fellow supporters, many members in the ham 'n' eggs tie are fantastic value for money.

David Rogers, a twenty-plus year veteran of God's own cricket club, likes to take a stroll from the gentlemen's stands to see how the other half - the Hill People - live, at least once a day.

"The Barmy Army balance all the biased local support," says Mr Rogers. "They provide decent, light-hearted humour when the team is doing badly."

Sir David added that he thought the MCC, on the whole, view the flag-clad chanters with "Benign amusement rather than hate."

He agrees that they do a great deal of good for England's cause: "The team certainly appreciate them."

He does lament, though, that there is an element of football support at the ground and thinks that the BA should stick to their unique style of cricket chants.

If you bump into David on your travels, shake his hand because he understands the ethos of the Barmy Army and realises that cricket support comes in many styles and tie colours.

Alan Pearson, the Henley hockey man, on the other hand, is a veteran of five Barmy Army tours to Australia.

Always sporting either his prized BA shirts, or larging it in a nifty hawaiian number, Alan's full and fitting grey moustache is always to be seen at cricket venues around the world.

Alan likes to increase the average age of the Barmy Army a little, and increase its IQ by a lot, not because the England fans aren't smart - which is certainly not the case - but because Alan is smarter.

If you should ever wish to query an historical point, speak to Alan, who will put you right. His encyclopaedic knowledge of politics, history and international relations is as alarming as the floral patterns on his hawaiian prints.

If you see Alan on your travels, shake his hand because he likes to have a laugh and sings like a welshman on whizz.

The point I am making is that today has been a good illustration of how the Barmy Army accepts all sorts and bars none; conversely, the Barmy Army seems to be accepted by almost all areas for the sake of fun and the England cricket team.

Although personal opinions can differ, we are generally looked at as a force for good among the traditional world of cricket.

Contrast the wit of the Barmy Army with the so-called humour of the Aussie spectators, and we can't be bad.

Following yesterday's report of poor behaviour among Australia's fans, some sickening stories have taken place today.

An Aussie Elvis tried to entertain the English section of the crowd by standing on a rubbish bin, belting out Love Me Tender.

To reward this, a fellow Aussie, in a moment of high wit and humour, rushed over to the King and bashed him backwards off his podium so he landed on his head. This was met with belly laughs from the discerning Aussie crowd.

Luckily, the entertainer got up, dazed but unscathed, and carried on with the fun elsewhere in the ground.

If you see any more dumb Aussie shenanigans, please let me know at worldwritewhitehead@hotmail.com and I will try to mention it in upcoming Tests.

© Barmy Army