| Event: | England in Australia 2006/07 |
DateLine: 1st December 2006
Australian cricket authorities told England's Barmy Army Thursday that its trumpeter could not perform during the second Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval. Police hit a sour note with England fans when they ejected classically-trained trumpeter Billy Cooper from the first Test at Brisbane's Gabba last week and Cricket Australia said a similar ban would be enforced in Adelaide. Cricket Australia spokesman Peter Young said the South Australian Cricket Association decided not to overturn a ban on trumpets and air-horns introduced last year. "It's certainly not about being kill-joys or stopping the fun," Young said. "Venues have in the past received complaints about instruments and it's about making sure the atmosphere is comfortable for all." Cooper's ejection led to accusations the "fun police" had ruined the atmosphere of the opening Test, in which Australia trounced England. The atmosphere is expected to improve in the second Test beginning Friday because Adelaide Oval has grass banks where fans can congregate and organize chants, unlike the Gabba, where the Barmy Army were scattered and largely silent until the final day's play. Young said musical instruments would also be banned for the fourth Test in Melbourne and there would be consultations with the Barmy Army before the other Tests in the five-match series, in Perth and Sydney.
