OCTOBER 25: If you believe the bookies, the on-field battle for the Ashes is already over.
But off the pitch, Australia finds itself decided underdog as a group of Brisbane barbershop singers tries to silence England's famous Barmy Army of supporters.
The 64-strong River City Clippers -with members across the westside - this week issued a call to arms in an attempt to out-chant the enemy.
Vice-president John Shelton said the group had eight songs in its arsenal, and aimed to be as ``positively abusive in a good-natured way'' in its lyrics as the Barmy Army was expected to be.
``We are going to have a singing Test match,'' Mr Shelton said.
``If the opposition tries to put us off we will just keep singing.''
Clippers singer Keith Druery said his group's ammunition would be singing tunefully.
``We don't expect the same from them,'' he said.
A Barmy Army spokesman welcomed the Brisbane challenge but said the army did not believe it would be beaten.
``This is the fourth time the Barmy Army have been to Australia and they have never been close to being out-sung,'' the spokesman said.
``Man for man you will need at least two or three Aussies to match us.''
He said the army looked forward to meeting the Clippers.
``Hopefully after all the banter we'll all sit down together and have some beers,'' he said.
The Barmy Army has sold 1700 official packages and has 5000 independent travellers.
The Clippers' songs refer to five Australian cricketers, including a song about Shane Warne to the tune of God Save the Queen.
To join the Clipper Army, phone 3351 7237.
Participants do not need to be professional singers, and song sheets will be provided.