theashes, the ashes, ashes, twitter
By Monday, @theashes was offering a self-designed T-shirt for 19.90 US dollars at www.spreadshirt.com, with the slogan “I am not a freaking cricket match!!” with proceeds to #gettheashestotheashes.

SYDNEY: A US woman with the Twitter name @theashes who was bombarded by messages about cricket was offered a free flight to Australia and started selling her own commemorative T-shirt Monday.

The Massachusetts woman, who usually tweets about knitting and the “Glee”TV show, was the subject of a Twitter campaign, #gettheashestotheashes, after snapping at microblogs about the Ashes series between Australia and England.

“I AM NOT A FREAKING CRICKET MATCH!!!” read an exasperated message on Saturday. “This is not the account of the cricket match. Check profiles before you send mentions, it's incredibly annoying and rude,” she wrote earlier.

However, @theashes, whose real name is Ashley Kerekes, later softened her tone, inquiring “what the hell is a wicket?” and admitting she didn't know whether to support Australia or England.

By Monday, @theashes was offering a self-designed T-shirt for 19.90 US dollars at www.spreadshirt.com, with the slogan “I am not a freaking cricket match!!” with proceeds to #gettheashestotheashes.

“I hope no one is offended by me making T-shirts,” she tweeted. “I probably make two cents a shirt. I'm not trying to get rich, just have fun.”

Meanwhile #gettheashestotheashes sparked a torrent of interest with Qantas Airways offering a free flight from New York, as Ashes sponsor Vodafone pledged free tickets and a phone and a Ford dealer stumped up a car for her use.

@theashes, who has sent nearly 9,000 tweets about work and daily life, wrote that she was considering Qantas's offer but she also wanted a ticket for her boyfriend. The Ashes series runs until January 7.

“Okay, this has been insane. I'm exhausted,” she wrote finally. “Howzat. I'm off to bed. See you tomorrow.”

Opinion

Editorial

X post facto
Updated 19 Apr, 2024

X post facto

Our decision-makers should realise the harm they are causing.
Insufficient inquiry
19 Apr, 2024

Insufficient inquiry

UNLESS the state is honest about the mistakes its functionaries have made, we will be doomed to repeat our follies....
Melting glaciers
19 Apr, 2024

Melting glaciers

AFTER several rain-related deaths in KP in recent days, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority has sprung into...
IMF’s projections
Updated 18 Apr, 2024

IMF’s projections

The problems are well-known and the country is aware of what is needed to stabilise the economy; the challenge is follow-through and implementation.
Hepatitis crisis
18 Apr, 2024

Hepatitis crisis

THE sheer scale of the crisis is staggering. A new WHO report flags Pakistan as the country with the highest number...
Never-ending suffering
18 Apr, 2024

Never-ending suffering

OVER the weekend, the world witnessed an intense spectacle when Iran launched its drone-and-missile barrage against...