Cricket Australia has taken a leaf out of Winston Churchill's famous call to arms speech with the launch of a supporter campaign to combat England in the stands as well as on the field during the upcoming Ashes series.
The English cricket team are renowned for their zealous bunch of faithful supporters, tagged the "Barmy Army" and this year's much-talked about Ashes series is expected to attract record numbers of the ardent UK fans.
Overseas ticket sales for the Ashes series indicate that up to 40,000 English supporters are coming out to cheer on their team during the five-match Ashes series which may nullify Australia's home-ground advantage.
In response, Cricket Australia is launching a supporter campaign called "Go Off in Green and Gold" to encourage Aussie fans to form an 'army of their own' and dress in green and gold at games.
"As an organisation the last thing we want to see is our stadiums taken over by the red-and-white of the Barmy Army," Cricket Australia marketing spokesman Adam Vincenzini told sportal.com.au.
"For the team, it's incredibly important that they feel like that are playing at home and by encouraging Aussie cricket fans to 'Go Off In Green and Gold' we think we'll be able to give them the support they’ll get a real boost from."
"It's also important that every single person that attends a cricket match this summer has a memorable experience and by encouraging a 'green and gold' presence we think it will only add to the spectacle."
Australian fans will be able to buy replicas of the team's new one-day uniform, which captain Ricky Ponting will unveil in Sydney on Tuesday.
In addition, grounds will be adorned with green and gold silks and supporters will be encouraged to enter the ground on a green carpet where they can have their faces painted in team colours.
