TG interviews TheAshes on Twitter
By Nina Mukherji

Hundreds of millions of Indians are glued to every cricket match.  The Ashes Test cricket series between England and Australia is followed by millions in both countries.  But cricket has never taken roots in USA.  In a sweet twist of fate, an American Ashley Kerekes, who had never held a cricket bat till Dec 2010, found thousands of cricket lovers following her Twitter account.

Techgoss tracked down Ashley Kerekes in USA and spoke to her about what it was like to find her Twitter followers suddenly increasing from 300 to more than 13,000 because most felt the account @theashes would be giving them more details about one of the most celebrated cricketing rivalries in the world.  Her story struck such a chord in Australia that its national carrier Qantas even flew Ashley and her boyfriend Dan to attend the final Ashes Test in Sydney.

Techgoss (TG): How do you feel about having so many cricket followers in spite of not being a cricket fan?
Ashley Kerekes (AK): Well, at this point, I wouldn’t say that I’m a not a cricket fan. However, I do feel some pressure to tweet about cricket because most of my followers are cricket fans. I am finding however, that some people aren’t following just because of cricket, and they’re also interested in what I have to say about other things as well, which is pretty cool.

TG: What was the first thought that crossed your mind when Qantas offered to fly you to Australia to watch the match?
AK: When people first suggested it, I felt that that would be really cool. But somehow never thought it could really happen. And then it did! The whole thing was all very surreal and didn’t sink till I was actually in Australia.

TG: What did you like best about Australia? Do you think you’ll go back there again?
AK: I loved getting to meet so many interesting and exceptionally kind people over there. I will definitely make a point of going back to Australia someday.

TG: Do you understand cricket well now?
AK: I think I have a pretty good understanding of the game, but I’ve been told it can take years to really get a full grasp of it. Now I’m finding out that there are other forms of the game and not just test cricket.

TG: What do you like to do in your free time?
AK: I’m really into crafts like knitting, crocheting, and cross-stitching. Right after I got back from Australia, I took up quilting.

TG: Do you play any sport?
AK: I’m not into playing team sports so much, but I like cross-country skiing, hiking, and biking.

TG: Has this changed many things in your life? If so how?
AK: I now have all kinds of friends from all over the world.