Barmy Army hell bent on a great time touring WA after Ashes opener truncated with bruising England loss

The Barmy Army might have been shattered by the result, but now appear determined to make the most of their spare time in WA after England’s Ashes capitulation. And along with cricket fans visiting from the east coast, they’re expected to pour even more revenue into the State. Cricket Australia could lose more than $3 million from ticket revenue after the event wrapped up in two days instead of five, but Perth’s pubs, clubs and restaurants are set to be the big winners. Industry bosses expect cricket fans to spend even more than the $50m that was previously forecast, on sight-seeing, experiences and hospitality. Tourism Council WA chief executive Evan Hall said the sector had embarked on an advertising blitz as soon as it was announced Perth would host the Ashes opener. He expected most to stay on, with their accommodation already booked and with plenty of time before the next Test starts at the Gabba in Brisbane on December 4. “That’s the advantage of having the first Test - it was quite a coup,” Mr Hall said. Many already planned to head down south and fly east from Busselton after spending the full five days in Perth, he said, and now have more time to see the city. And, fortunately, spring weather is set to return. “I think Rottnest Island is going to get flooded with Poms delighted to spend the day in the sun,” Mr Hall said. “Many will head to the pub but there will plenty others who treat it like an absolute holiday and adventure.” Perth’s pubs certainly did a roaring trade amid the unseasonably grey and windy weather on Sunday. And while the red and white uniform of the Barmy Army was noticeably absent, English accents - albeit somewhat subdued - could be heard all ‘round. Brothers Karl and Conor Robinson, from Bradford in West Yorkshire, grew up immersed in cricket and say it was a dream come true to see the Ashes in person, for the first time, together. “Cricket’s like a big part of our local community,” Karl said. “We used to do cricket scoring when we were kids for pocket money. Cricket is kind of in, like, our DNA.” Karl flew with his girlfriend Rowan Shaw, from Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, to Perth for just a week to see the first Test and catch up with Conor, who has been on a working holiday in Queensland for the past two years. Many of the visiting Poms had family here so were also catching up with them, the brothers said, as they enjoyed an Aussie beer at The Lucky Shag bar overlooking the Swan River, after wandering around the CBD. The trio have already seen Rottnest and Caversham Wildlife Park in the Swan Valley, and plan a trip to Fremantle on Monday before jetting out. The long journey was well worth it, Karl said. Rowan singled out quokkas as her highlight, while Conor lauded the general vibe. “Everybody’s so happy to be alive, it’s a slower pace, like, everybody’s friendly,” he said. Premier Roger Cook spared a thought for England supporters “drowning their sorrows“, but said Perth is ready to show them a good time. “As I said in Parliament on Thursday, ‘when the Barmy Army sobs, we create WA jobs’,” Mr Cook told reporters. Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti urged cricket fans now at a loss, to get out and explore. “I encourage all of those who had tickets to the Test to come out and ... enjoy all the beautiful venues we have around the State when they get further afield,” Ms Saffioti said. “They may jump in a car, hire a car, and head down south in particular, but we encourage them to stay on.” Australian Hotels Association WA chief executive Bradley Woods said the truncated Test gave thousands of visitors more time to experience the best of Perth and the State. “While the cricket may have finished early, the experience of Perth doesn’t end at the WACA or Optus Stadium,” Mr Woods said. “There is no shortage of places for visitors to enjoy WA hospitality at its best.” Mr Hall said the Mint and WA Museum would also have an influx, as would popular coastal hotspots including Scarborough. “We’ll have a hard time keeping the Poms off our beaches,” he laughed. “They’ve come all the way here ... and they’re looking to have a good time. “They’ll just be everywhere.” A Venues Live spokeswoman said spare food leftover after Optus Stadium fell quiet was being donated to OzHarvest, which had been the case for major events since it opened.