Inspired By Die-Hard Fan, Barmy Army Musters Half Dozen For India Tests

Inspired by a diehard England fan's 10-month vigil to see his team play in Sri Lanka, a group of expats have travelled across India to become the only Barmy Army members singing in the second Test

The other Englishmen are Harry Martin, 30, who lives in Mumbai, Delhi-based Mark May, 58, and Simon Harrison, 35, who travelled from Hyderabad.

The tiny Barmy Army contingent will be drowned out by some 15,000 home fans, but they have pledged to be in good voice regardless.

"We will try and get some Indians to sing along with us," said Phelan. "We'll be singing our best and I hope we have sore throats by Sunday night."

The Englishmen were accompanied by 30-year-old Matt Christensen from the United States and Australian Peter Nicholls, 44. The Australian wasted no time in sledging his English mate Phelan as they queued to get into the raucous stadium.

"It's so rare that England does well. He (Phelan) is outside his comfort zone because England normally don't do well," he joked.

But perhaps stung by Australia's recent shock home series defeat at the hands of India, Nicholls claimed he was yet to take sides in the contest.