One of the co-founders of England's Barmy Army pleaded for the two sides in Australia's cricket war to "resolve their corrosive pay dispute amid fears that the famous supporters' group could be bankrupted" if the Ashes Test series is canceled, according to Sue Williams of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Barmy Army co-Founder Dave Peacock said, "We could go bust if this isn't sorted out. There are 30,000-plus fans traveling to Australia this year, and they've already booked their flights, hotels, tickets and tours." A cancellation of the Ashes series could cost the Australian tourism industry A$400M ($305.4M) in revenue. Peacock: "[The Ashes] is on the bucket list of so many sports fans who've shelled out between £15,000 ($19,300) and £20,000 ($25,700) for the 51 days [of the series]." The Barmy Army has "evolved into a professional limited company" while still dedicated to making cricket "more fun" with chants, songs and banners. It was appointed a licensed travel operator of Cricket Australia, via its Barmy Travel arm, for the Ashes series. Peacock: "We're already committed to paying for all of this, as well as things like Christmas dinner for 800 to 1,000 at the Crown Casino in Melbourne, all our merchandising and T-shirts, and plans for a massive New Year's Eve party in Sydney. From a logistical point of view, we would go bust if it didn't go ahead" (SMH, 7/10).
