The legendary Barmy Army, England's most vocal and dedicated cricket supporters, are already plotting their campaign for the next Ashes showdown, and they've identified one Australian star as their number one target: Steve Smith.
The Master Plan to Unsettle Australia's Batting Maestro
In what promises to be one of the most anticipated cricketing contests of 2025, England's travelling army of fans are preparing their signature brand of good-natured but relentless psychological warfare. Their strategy? To get inside Smith's head and disrupt the concentration that has made him one of Test cricket's most formidable batsmen.
The Barmy Army's trumpeter and chief cheerleader, Billy Cooper, revealed their intentions, stating they're developing special chants and songs specifically designed to target Smith throughout the series. "We've got our sights set on Steve Smith," Cooper confirmed, acknowledging the Australian's importance to his team's success.
Why Smith Faces the Music
Smith's selection as the primary target isn't arbitrary. The former Australian captain boasts an incredible Test average of over 55 and has been England's tormentor-in-chief in previous Ashes encounters. His unorthodox technique and intense concentration at the crease have frequently ground England's bowling attacks into submission.
The Barmy Army's approach represents a calculated effort to find any possible advantage, using vocal pressure to complement England's on-field tactics. While maintaining their reputation for good-humoured banter, the supporters recognise that even small psychological edges can prove crucial in the high-stakes environment of an Ashes series.
A Rich Tradition of Cricket Banter
This isn't the first time the Barmy Army has singled out an Australian player for special attention. Their most famous previous target was Merv Hughes during the 1990s, where their relentless but good-natured ribbing became part of Ashes folklore.
The group's methods have evolved over the years, combining traditional cricket songs with witty, spontaneous chants that often reference current events or a player's recent performances. Their ability to maintain vocal pressure for entire sessions, and sometimes entire days, has made them a unique feature of England's away Test matches.
What This Means for the 2025 Ashes
With the next Ashes series in Australia still over a year away, the early revelation of their targeting strategy shows how seriously England's supporters are taking the upcoming contest. The Barmy Army clearly believes that getting under Smith's skin could be key to England's chances of retaining the urn on Australian soil.
As one of cricket's greatest modern batsmen prepares to face not just England's bowlers but their vocal supporters too, the stage is set for another captivating chapter in cricket's oldest and most storied rivalry.
