THE ASHES 2006/2007: Barmy army go the distance to satisfy curry craving

English fans pose during the second day of the first Ashes Test in Brisbane on Nov. 24. Several members of England's Barmy Army who longed for a taste of home ordered takeaway curry from an English restaurant. It will be delivered to Perth in time for the third Test. PHOTO: AFP

Members the "Barmy Army" traveling supporters' group which follows the England cricket team have put the spice back into the Ashes series by ordering a curry delivery from back home to go all the way out to Australia.

Staff the Bombay Nights Indian restaurant in Bath, southwest England, were bowled over when they received the order from a curry-starved England fan watching the Ashes series against Australia -- where the tourists are 2-0 down in the best-of-five series.

But chefs were certainly not stumped by the crazy request. The restaurant is to make the 29,000km round trip to take the poppadoms, parathas and pilau to Perth in time for what will, despite the series scoreline, now be a mouthwatering third Test next week.

Manager Nasir Abdul, 29, and his business partner Raj Miah will fly out today to deliver the ?1,500 (US$2,900) order to the 10 hungry cricket fans seemingly in a hurry for a good curry.

"It's certainly a strange place to deliver -- there's only New Zealand and the Antarctic that are any further," said Abdul. "With the flights and accommodation included it's going to work out at about ?150 per head. Of course if they ate it at the restaurant here in Bath it would only cost ?12 to ?14."

"It could be a problem getting it through customs as there are now restrictions on taking liquids on board so I don't know how we'll get a curry for 10 people through."

Nasir Abdul, restaurant manager

But Abdul fears he may get caught out at customs.

"We will chill the food and pack it in suitcases, which we'll check in at the airport," he said. "But we are just a little concerned as we think the food will keep fine for 48 hours but after that if there are any delays we may start to worry."

"It could be a problem getting it through customs as there are now restrictions on taking liquids on board so I don't know how we'll get a curry for 10 people through," he added.

The restaurateurs are out to make the most of the trip and hope to watch a few days of the third Test.

Rice work if you can get it.