The W.A.C.A. Photo © Barmy Army

It may not come as too much of a surprise that women are providing the Barmy Army with the biggest cheers at this stage of the tour.

Would the England cricket team give the fans something to cheer about. And if not, could the Women's hockey team do any better?

The Barmy Army decided to double their odds of seeing English sporting success by following the first day at the test, by supporting the national hockey side in the evening

The troops had headed first for the WACA in more hope than expectation.

Could England turn things around after being comprehensively outplayed for two matches.

The optimism in the ranks has been amazing at times, but one punter decided to take things a stage further.

"500 pounds on a 3-2 England victory". (At 500-1)

A sudden surge of confidence in England's chances, or has he just been out in the sun for too long?

Inside the ground, the Army congregated on the grass bank, and a lone policeman tried in vain to get everyone seated.

It wasn't going to happen, and fortunately the 'jobsworth' in question quickly realised this and instead concentrated on brawling Aussies in the crowd.

Entertainment was provided by a well known "Romeo" amongst the Barmy Army ranks.

In Adelaide, he'd seen the Aussies way of giving recognition to beautiful women in the crowd by throwing plastic cups of beer at them.

He hadn't been impressed.

So "Lovejoy", (names have been changed to protect his identity), decided to serenade his targets in the crowd with a famous Lionel Ritchie number.

"Hello, is it me you're looking for, I can see it in your eyes, I can see it in your smile, you're all I've ever wanted, my arms are opened wide".

As in the previous two matches, the attempts of the Aussies at singing were poor.

"At least Australia's got three syllables".

This latest offering baffled the travelling fans.

On the pitch, of course, Australia were dominating and finished the day in a commanding position.

So searching desperately for something to cheer about, the Army climbed on buses and headed for the hockey.

Would the England Women's hockey team have more success than their male cricket counterparts?

© Barmy Army