Ashes rivals join forces to applaud the Barmy Army

Players from both teams support 'banter' with Ponting as ECB cracks down on louts

A ferocious atmosphere is expected at Headingley tomorrow as plans to convert the ground to a cross between a library and a closed monastery appeared to founder. Fears about the behaviour at the most unseemly of English Test venues were swept aside by the players who are ready and willing for a match to be played throughout at fever pitch.

"I think things have stepped up a bit because it's getting closer to the end and we need to win," said the Australian all-rounder Shane Watson. "The intensity is really starting to rise up because we need it to. It's great cricket and it's great to have some really competitive banter out there."

The intensity may be enhanced at the fourth npower Test – with England 1-0 up with two matches to play before the Ashes are decided – by the traditionally raucous behaviour of the fans. Australia's captain Ricky Ponting was regularly booed at Edgbaston in the last Test and English administrators seemed so embarrassed that they are launching an appeal for silence through the ECB chairman, Giles Clarke.

But Watson said: "I think the banter has been absolutely excellent throughout the series. I've had a lot of laughs and giggles out on the field especially in the last Test, just with the banter the Barmy Army have. It's what you expect when you come over here, some good fun banter with the crowds.

"Of course the English crowds are going to try to put off Ricky Ponting, one of the best batsmen in the world. I came away from Edgbaston just enjoying my time in the field. There was some booing but he's the Australian captain, you'd expect there to be a bit more banter going towards him to try to unsettle him. It's a great part of being here in England."

Graham Onions, the England fast bowler, was less effusive, but then he was probably under strict instructions from the ECB's media advisers to watch what he said.

"I think as players, it's important that we don't listen to too much of what goes on," Onions said. "Inside the rope, it's just action, everything is happening so quickly, so you've got to take a moment. But when you're listening to the crowd, you have to remember that we have a lot of respect for everybody in that Australian squad.

"I still class Ricky Ponting as one of the best batsmen in the world if not the best. Myself I would never boo him because I have too much respect for him. Whatever happens off the field, away from the white lines that's out of my hands."

Such is Headingley's reputation – and the behaviour of certain sections of the crowd has for years been boorish bordering on hooligan – that the ground authorities are imposing strict regulations. The ECB's chairman Clarke also decided to act after what he presumably viewed as insolent behaviour towards Ponting in Birmingham. He has written a message in the match programme saying that Ponting has earned the respect and courtesy of crowds. He will ask everybody to respect both sides.

To ensure less boisterousness and that the crowd will not have a good time at any cost, Headingley has also banned the Barmy Army resident trumpeter Bill Cooper in line with its blanket ban on all musical instruments. Bodies will be searched as usual for the concealment of grand pianos.

Security levels will be at an all-time high but Stewart Regan, Yorkshire CCC's chief executive, at least recognised that it might be possible to go too far. "There are a small minority who like to take their behaviour one step too far and the club have said we will not tolerate behaviour which gets out of hand," Regan said.

"Obviously we can't stop people booing, but what we can do is stop fans getting close to the players. At Edgbaston we saw a number of fans trying to get close to where the players come out and where the players are congregating. We won't be allowing that."

So, carry on booing them. The Barmy Army, England's organised travelling band of supporters, have denied suggestions that they are responsible for targeting Ponting. Indeed it seemed their main censorious contribution to the match at Edgbaston was the constant chanting of their wretchedly monotonous theme song when the clock had reached a certain hour. The booing of Ponting which was good-natured on most, if not all occasions, could not be pinned on the Army. That came from sections of the crowd who appeared not to have been formally recruited.

At Leeds, too, the Western Terrace, which still exists in spirit if not in reality, hardly needs the formality of official supporter conscription to let the players know what they are thinking.

Andrew Flintoff, the injured England all-rounder, batted yesterday but did not bowl because of his knee. Brett Lee, the Australia fast bowler, declared himself fit for selection.