Ponting challenges Barmy Army to turn out in droves

ADELAIDE - Australian cricket skipper Ricky Ponting has called on the Barmy Army to turn out in droves for this year’s Ashes series in Australia.

“I have said for a long time even they booed me at every opportunity last year, they are the best bunch of supporters that we play in front of for the fact they are so passionate about the game and they love supporting their own,” the Adelaide Now newspaper quoted Ponting, as saying.

“Whatever they generally do towards us is normally in a light-hearted manner. I think last time there was talk of being up to 50,000 Barmy Army supporters if you like.We will see how this year pans out,” he added.

“It certainly adds to the contest I guess and I know the English guys love playing in front of their crowds and hopefully at some stage we can outnumber them with Australian fans,” Ponting said.

The bullish Barmy Army came out in massive numbers for the start of the 2006/07 series but had been reduced to a mere platoon by the end of the five-Test series, won 5-0 by the home side.

The demand in Australia for tickets in this year’s Ashes series has been strong but not quite as hot as four years ago.

Barmy Army spokesman Paul Burnham still expected healthy numbers of travellers from the UK for the Ashes. (ANI)