Barmy army bites back

Cricket fans reeling from the Ashes defeat to England have been warned: the Barmy Army will be back, bigger than ever...

NSW Tourism Minister Jodi McKay says England's 2-1 series victory over Ponting's men will guarantee record numbers of fans make the trip from the UK for the next Ashes series in late 2010.

They will include England's noisy and colourful Barmy Army fans, who are already said to registering for tickets to watch the two teams battle it out in Sydney's New Year test.

The last Ashes test match hosted at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 2007 is said to be the most successful sporting fixture ever held at the stadium, with almost 165,000 fans attending.

The 2006-07 Ashes series was said to have provided a $265 million boost for the Australian economy.

This was despite the fact the match lasted only four days, instead of the usual five.

About 37,000 international visitors - mainly from the UK - attended the 2006-07 series.

"I expect the next tour will be even bigger," Ms McKay said.

"And it's not just the cricket the Barmy Army will get to enjoy.

"The fact is there is simply no better place in the world to welcome in the New Year than Sydney."

Ms McKay said Sydney will be promoted in the UK as a New Year's tourism destination in the run-up to the next Ashes series.

Source: www.theage.com.au