Talk to strangers about cricket

Cricket is followed passionately across a dozen countries that rarely get to argue with each other directly. A stranger match puts you in conversation with a fan from the opposing side of a rivalry you have only ever discussed with people who agree with you.

• The greatest of all time argument, properly
• The match you still have not recovered from
• Test, ODI or T20 and which format is dying
• Franchise leagues against international cricket
• Gully and street cricket rules where you grew up

• “Greatest cricketer of all time?”Use this
• “A match you will never forget?”Use this
• “Test, ODI, or T20 — pick one.”Use this
• “Most painful defeat you have watched?”Use this
• “Best player in the world right now?”Use this
• “What were your gully cricket rules?”Use this

• Ask about the first match they remember watching. It is a nostalgic, personal question that most fans love answering.
• Pick a format debate: Test, ODI or T20. Everyone has a side, and the reasons tell you what kind of fan they are.
• Ask about the gully cricket rules where they grew up. One tip one hand, the wall counts as a catch: local rules are always funny and specific.

Big rivalries can get heated, so keep the banter about cricket rather than countries or people. Avoid abusing players, even when a result hurts. And ignore anyone offering betting tips, “fixed” fantasy teams or paid prediction groups; they are scams.