England’s Barmy Army are set to take over one of the most iconic areas of the MCG for the Boxing Day Test, in a move that has ruffled the feathers of some Australian cricket fans and former players on the eve of the Ashes.
The iconic Bay 13 is renowned as one of the most colourful areas of the 100,000-seater stadium, where a younger and rowdier audience of Aussie cricket fans, some of whom are known for being larrikins, have typically parked up over the years to support their team and throw a few jibes at the English when they arrive in Melbourne.
From chants to fancy dress, Bay 13 is always a lively hub of activity on match day, and while some have misbehaved in the past, many who have enjoyed a day out at the ‘G have come away with fond memories, having sat in the renowned stand.
The block is sacred ground for many Aussie fans, which is why it is staggering to see that MCG chiefs have allocated seating in Bay 13 to England’s supporter group, the Barmy Army for the fourth Test, which will commence on December 26.
Its neighbouring blocks, 11, 12 and 14, have also been assigned as seating areas for England fans.
And one Aussie Test legend was left gobsmacked by the decision.
‘You’re kidding? That’s un-Australian, that,’ Adam Gilchrist told Code Sports on Tuesday.
He was so stumped that he needed one of the outlet’s journalists, Robert Craddock, to confirm whether it was true, asking: ‘Have you heard this?’
‘It’s un-Australian, I say that tongue in cheek of course,’ Gilchrist continued.
‘Good on them [the Barmy Army] for getting in early enough to book it, I guess.
‘It’s going to create a good, fun atmosphere and I can see the smirk on their faces as they roll in there each day knowing they’ve kept the locals out.
‘It will be interesting to see the reaction from the locals, I think they’d be disappointed to not be a part of such a historic precinct of the ground.’
Other Aussie fans on social media were left stunned by the change.
‘How the hell did The Barmy Army get allocated Bay 13 (and surrounds) at the ‘G for the Boxing Day Test???’ one wrote on X.
‘Could it be that the suits that run the game these days know f*** all about its traditions?’
Over the years, Bay 13 has played host to some iconic moments, too, including Merv Hughes’ iconic stretching photograph.
Hughes was fielding on the boundary line in front of Bay 13 and began to lean from side to side as he loosened up his muscles. The fans behind him in the block hilariously started to copy him, swaying from either side, making for one of the most iconic pictures in sporting history.
Another Aussie great said he was left feeling ‘sick’ by the news.
‘Merv Hughes is turning in his grave and he isn’t even dead,’ Ex-Test bowler Damien Fleming said to Code Sports.
‘We need to arm Bay 13, we need Merv, we need people to dress up as Merv, we could maybe get “Dippa” [Robert DiPierdomenico].
‘I want Merv lookalikes dominating Bay 13, make sure it happens.
‘I’m sick; that’s… I’m sick.’
Back in 1999, England had suffered a 3-1 defeat in the Ashes, but had returned to play an ODI match at the ‘G. They were again gazumped by the Australians, who won with 10 wickets to spare.
However, unsavoury scenes unfolded as English star bowler Darren Gough was heckled by fans inside Bay 13, who also threw rubbish at him. Things got out of hand but an incredible turn of events would subsequently unfold.
Spin king and Aussie larrikin Warne was beckoned onto the pitch by Alec Stewart, with the Aussie spin king being asked by the England skipper if he can get Bay 13 to calm down. Though apprehensive, Warne walked to the south stand with a helmet before asking the fans to stop throwing things, which they obliged.
Warne’s son, Jackson, meanwhile, gave his verdict on the matter, highlighting that the block meant a lot to Aussie fans before doffing his cap to the England fans..
‘To give it to the Barmy Army, I want to say: “I wish it was Aussies” but I feel like the Barmy Army, for them to travel from the other side of the world, is really cool.’
It’s not the first time Aussie fans have fumed at cricket chiefs over a change to Bay 13, with some cricket lovers hitting out at bosses after they turned Bay 13 into a corporate hospitality area for one of the country’s biggest businesses.
The Commonwealth Bank had set up their Yello Deck, a temporary corporate area in the block that resembled something of a fancy pub garden. It boasted yellow sun shades, padded seats and a bar – but some saw it as an affront on one of the great Australian cricket traditions.
‘What cloth-eared plutofascist had so little regard for the traditions of this venue that they thought it was a good idea to give over Bay 13 to premium seating for a bank?’ one fan wrote on the social media platform X at the time.
England and Australia will reignite their age-old rivalry on Friday, with both sides set to square off at the Perth Stadium in Western Australia.
