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Alongside them – probably without the consent of Mother Superior - were the Esoteric Drummers, purveyors of a samba style known as and a regular fixture at the ground as officially-sanctioned entertainers.

Just when it seemed things couldn’t get any louder, it was time for an appearance from close friends of this column Drs Secret and Obvious, this time dressed as soccer referees, with silly wigs and conch shells.

New Zealand, who had picked a side with just one change to the one which beat England on Friday, bettered their previous World Cup best of 309-5, compiled in 1975 against an East Africa side featuring Kenya’s best. Once they had taken three early wickets they could afford to go through the motions with their array of bowlers, although their fielding was still high class, as shown by three impressive run outs.

Kenya's Ravindu Shah – a British passport-holder who has seen injuries and business interests keep him out of chunks of action since the 2003 World Cup – displayed some classy cover drives in his own 71, but the support was negligible.

Unfortunately for tuk lovers, home time came for the uniformed hoards at 4pm, with more than 20 overs left in the game, so the final stages were far more subdued, off the field at least.

Kenya's last-wicket pair may not have felt the same way, though, as Stephen Fleming unleashed his pace bowlers late in the piece and James Franklin hit Peter Ongondo on the helmet before taking a return catch next ball.

England fans – and batsmen - will be pleased to note that the wicket they will also use against Kenya on Saturday had a more pace and offered less turn than its neighbours.

Kenya’s spinners were less disciplined and far less effective than in their opening victory over Canada, perhaps intimidated by the aggressive batting they faced.

And on Saturday the Barmy Army are likely to be dancing to their own, familiar rhythm as they will their favourites towards the Super 8 stage.