England put on back foot by Barmy Army

ENGLAND’S Barmy Army have been branded a disgrace after playing an unwitting role in inspiring Brett Lee’s most hostile spell of the series and plunging the tourists further into trouble in the fourth Test.

The loud but loyal band of England followers picked up on suggestions about the legality of Lee's action, which was cleared by the International Cricket Council two years' ago, to shout "no ball" every time he ran into bowl.

Those antics clearly rattled the Australian team and wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist made animated gestures to their part of the ground when Lee dismissed Marcus Trescothick with a rapidly quick bouncer as England slipped to 97 for three in reply to the world champions' 551 for six declared on the second day at the MCG.