Barmy Army threaten Ashes boycott over Aussie fun police ...

Englandีs Barmy Army threatened to boycott the rest of the Ashes series, accusing Australiaีs าfun policeำ of ruining the atmosphere at the first Test in Brisbane.

The English support group complained they were being treated like children by overzealous security guards at Brisbaneีs Gabba and were fuming after their trumpeter was thrown out of the ground on Thursday for playing his instrument.

Barmy Army founder Paul Burnham described the ejection as าsurrealำ and accused Cricket Australia of trying to curb Englandีs fans as part of their campaign to win back the Ashes.

Burnham said many England fans were so disillusioned with their treatment at the Gabba that they were boycotting the ground and watching the game at their hotels.

Cricket Australia has adopted a zero-tolerance approach to crowd antics after South African players were subjected to racist taunts by Australian fans earlier this year.

Even Australian fans, many of whom would normally dismiss the English complaints as yet more pommie whingeing, have been taken aback by the lack of atmosphere at the Gabba.

Australiaีs dominance on the pitch may have subdued the Barmy Army in any case, but supporter Craig Gill said the English fans had a proud tradition of singing loudest when their team was at its worst.

He blamed Cricket Australiaีs ticket allocation, which favoured home fans and dispersed England supporters throughout the Gabba, meaning there was no focal bloc of fans to generate chants and songs.

Cricket Australia spokesman Peter Young denied the tournament hosts were being killjoys and said the Barmy Army was welcome at matches because it brought colour and vibrancy to the stands, as well as generating revenue.