The Barmy Army had few heroes to cheer on the pitch at the first test, but they certainly found one off it.

Maybe more surprising, was Army's new song was directed at a local police officer on duty at the Gabba.

Senior Constable Samantha Ellis had taken her position early on day 3 in the section of the ground where the English fans had congregated.

Her job was to keep the fans in order, but she soon found herself the centre of the action off the field.

The Barmy Army's attention had been drawn.

"You've got the best eyebrows in the world," was the first chant that went up.

The cheerful, blond haired officer laughed along, and thus the inevitable follow up in admiration of her smile.

Maybe these were not the most original offerings the Barmy Army had ever conjured up, but they certainly made there mark on Sam.

"It was just so funny, the way you guys made stuff up on the spot," commented Sam on the chants directed at her. "But i've no idea why I was so popular," she adds modestly.

Sam left the section and took up her position elsewhere in the ground. It was when she made her return that the fun really started.

"Before I knew it, they (England fans) had formed a queue to come up and kiss me and have their photo taken with me. The whole thing just made me laugh, it was so funny".

Sure enough, Sam returned to the same section at the start of day 4.

Rumours that she'd made a special effort for the travelling England contingent, with extra make-up and a special hair style were unconfirmed.

She admitted that she has no interest in cricket, which meant she had plenty of time to size up the fans.

Did anyone take her eye?

"There was one guy who was really nice and talked to me a lot. He had orange hair and was very polite. But I met and spoke to so many people".

Sam also refused to be drawn on whether she preferred men in uniform.

Though it did emerge that boyfriend Chris was also on the force, and on duty at the Gabba as well.

"He has been winding me up a bit as have all the other officers," said Sam about her celebrity status amongst the Army. "But they all thought it was funny and it's all been good natured".

The atmosphere created by the Barmy Army was certainly appreciated by Sam and her colleagues on duty at the game.

"Normally we are dealing with people who don't like us and give us plenty of abuse," Sam commented. "It was good to work with people who liked us and wanted to have fun".

And how did the England fans compare to Aussie supporters?

"Overall, they were much better behaved, more polite and knew have to have fun, much more than the Aussies".

A ringing endorsement for the behaviour of the Barmy Army, in contrast to some of the disparaging opinions Willis, Agnew, and other English media direct at the group.

The question that is on all the lips of all the English fans is, of course, is Sam going to be in Adelaide.

"I'm afraid not," she replies. This news will disappoint the travelling fans, who will just have to search for another beauty in the South Australian force.

But she will be left with fond memories of her time spent with the Barmy Army.

"I had a ball, it was great".

© Barmy Army