Perhaps they feared being overrun by the Hindi hordes, or Pakistan's potato men.

The Barmy Army -- England's infamous, unofficial cricket supporters' club -- has become so well-established that it has a registered trademark, an Internet site and a World Cup song in the English pop charts which has outsold the official tournament anthem.

When the tournament organisers sold the event as a carnival of cricket, they must have hoped for England's touring fans to make a home appearance.

The Army was born during the away Ashes series of 1994/95.

The Australians thought anybody who could support Michael Atherton's struggling side, let alone travel halfway round the world to watch them, had to be mad.

The English fans, they were 1,000-strong at the Sydney Test in January 1995, rather liked the description and the name stuck.

Their aim, their Website proclaims, is to makewatching cricket more fun and much more popular.

Outsiders confirm they also like drinking while turning lobster-red in the sun.

And they enjoy the gentle, and not so gentle, taunting of opposition players while praising -- often ironically -- their own team to the skies.

Their song on Shane Warne goes: ``He's fat, he's round, he bounces on the ground, Shane Warne, Shane Warne.''

Mark Waugh is given an even tougher time: ``Mark Waugh is an Aussie, he wears the baggy cap, and when he saw the bookies cash, he said I'm having that'.''

This World Cup, however, has been all about Asian armies.

Pakistan and India's forces clashed in a blaze of colour and noise at Old Trafford yesterday a few weeks after military clashes on the nations' disputed border. It was a surprisingly good-natured affair.

Their songs, for the most part, do not have the irreverent edge of the English songs.

`India Zindabad', `Long live India' and `Pakistan Zindabad' are staple fare. `Hai Hai Pakistan', `Down with Pakistan' and`Hai Hai India' are equally popular.

One chant laced with humour, however, has been making the rounds with both Pakistani and Indian supporters.

Pakistan's hard-hitting, hefty Inzamam-Ul Haq -- nicknamed Aloo, or potato -- has become a cult figure at the tournament, interspersing match-winning innings with farcical run-outs.

`Run, Inzie, run,' has become a favourite crowd encouragement for the Pakistani batsman.

Inzamam-ul Haq may not like it -- armed with a bat, he tried to attack a fan in the crowd a few years ago after being baited through a mega phone -- but at least he hasn't got the Barmy Army on his back.