Cricket, beer and the Barmy Army

Further references to penal post-colonialism are combined, in “The Aussies love the English”, with the reminder, to the tune of the British national anthem, that “when they had the chance to vote they voted for the Queen!”, a figure “Long to reign over you, God save your Queen”.

Here the republican debate is played out in its roughest, most visceral form - the popular politics of the sporting theatre.

Some Australian fans have compiled their own songbook to combat the Barmy Army’s, but this is unlikely to be effective. In Australia, the more powerful tradition is of the loan barracker on the Hill, like the legendary Yabba, with a foghorn voice and sharp tongue. Such voices are increasingly drowned out in the hyperactive, noisy cricket stadia of today, the authorities perpetually fearful that the stately atmosphere of international cricket will alienate those used to constant visual and aural stimulation.

But in the few quiet moments, as the Barmy Army pauses to swill even more chilled Australian beer, there will be chances to contemplate not just the spectacle itself, but why it still matters.