And so @theashes goes viral (she is the chosen one)

While the Pommie batsmen were smacking the Mitch up and giving Australia a lesson in how to bat at The Gabba on day four of a Test match, an internet meme was being born.

At the time of writing the handle was still correct, it might have changed in the mean time but here is the genius story.

As with any sporting event, or event in general these days, cricket fans across the globe assumed that The Ashes would have a Twitter personality. As a result, cricket tragics starting Tweeting @TheAshes along with the standard hashtag. Unbeknown to cricket tragics everywhere @TheAshes did have a Twitter personality but it was a lot different to what we have all come to know The Ashes as.

The Ashes Twitter personality was angry. Furious, in fact. Because ‘The Ashes’ on Twitter eventually spoke, proclaiming: “I AM NOT A FREAKING CRICKET MATCH!!!”

Oh dear. And she would be quite right. The Ashes is, in fact, a cricket series. A five match Test series, spread across a month and a half or so.

A couple of ReTweets from the cricket Twitterati and @TheAshes, is an enraged girl from somewhere in the United States, had gone viral. Within a matter of hours she went from around 300 followers to more than 2000 (over 5000 on Monday morning 8AM Saffa time).

In fact, with the Australians in the piss poor state that they were, people were more interested in @TheAshes on Twitter than the Ashes on tele. We’re assuming that she is still sleeping in America but with a flurry of followers and tangent of Tweets, we can’t wait to see the response in a few hours….

I appeal to all cricket tragics across the globe to capitalise on this, though. Use this opportunity to spread to cricket gospel to the outskirts of America. Use this woman who has been CHOSEN by the Gods of cricket and the spirit of WG Grace to spread the GOSPEL. Hallelujah, brothers and sisters! If there ever was a sign that our cricketing brotherhood is strong, it is now.  This vessel has been sent to us to carry the gospel to the last conquered land, America.

Amen.

UPDATE: Briefly glancing over to TheAshes profile this morning and she is embrace her fate! This is excellent news. Let’s work together to guide Americans in the right direction and help her spread the cricket gospel! She has even been offered a flight to Australia by Qantas Airways. However, cricket fans’ latest hero does not want to travel alone, stating: “Hey, I’ve seen how crazy cricket fans are! I’m not travelling alone.”

Good thing her handle wasn’t Millwall vs Rangers…

She is also selling tshirts now – I’m totally getting one (if she lowers the price, $19 is a bit hefty. You can get: “I’m not a freaking cricket match” tshirs here.

Tagged as: the ashes, the ashes 2010