REWIND 2015: Top 10 cricketing highlights of 2015: As the year approaches its end, it becomes imperative for us to turn back the clock and revisit the events that have left an ineffaceable impression on the minds of the cricket frenzied public. It’s never an easy job to shortlist ten events that have had the maximum impact on the game of willow and cork this year. 2015 has been one of the most prolific cricketing years in the last decade or so. From new records being created to old warhorses bidding adieu to the international circuit, the year has seen it all. Cric Fit encompasses a list of 10 cricketing events that highlight the year 2015. It’s time to board the time machine people.
10. AB DE VILLIERS SCORES THE FASTEST EVER TON IN ODI HISTORY
Well if you are looking for an adjective to define the year 2015 in the context of cricket, you would call it the AB Devill-year. Such has been the impact of the Proteas’ ODI Captain on international cricket this year. In January, he registered the fastest ever ODI hundred in the 2nd ODI of South Africa’s home series against West Indies in Johannesburg. The 31 year old batsman from Pretoria reached the momentous landmark in just 31 deliveries and cleared the rope on 16 occasions on his way to an unbeaten 149 (off 44 balls). In the course of the innings, he leapfrogged Sanath Jaysuriya’s 19 year old record for the fastest ODI half century, a feat attained in just 16 balls. He also equalled Rohit Sharma’s World Record for the most number of sixes hit in an individual knock in ODIs (16). The triumphant innings also saw him go past New Zealand’s Corey Anderson, who hitherto held the record for the fastest ODI century, who took 5 more deliveries than De Villiers to get to the landmark in 2014. The southpaw’s sensational form remained intact during the World Cup as he bludgeoned a swashbuckling 150 off just 64 balls (the fastest ever 150 scored in ODI history) in South Africa’s Pool B tie against the West Indies at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground. De Villiers has caressed 5 ODI tons this year; a tally which includes 3 centuries in the recently concluded Mahatma Gandhi-Nelson Mandela ODI Series.
9. ZIMBABWE GETS BLOWN AWAY BY A GAYLE STORM
The weather in Canberra was pleasant and tranquil until a ferocious storm from West Indies arrived and caused massive destruction on February 24, 2015. It’s no ordinary storm mind you; people call it the ‘Gayle-Storm’, which has the potential to inflict severe damage on bowlers from the rival camps. Christopher Henry Gayle scripted an obscure record by slamming the first ever double century in the 40 year long history of the Cricket World Cup. The Zimbabweans led by Brendon Taylor were the victims of the Jamaican’s brutal assault as the latter clubbed 16 sixes on his way to 215 off 147 balls. In the process, he shattered records galore. He struck 16 sixes and 10 boundaries during his stay at the crease, which happens to be the fifth highest aggregate for runs scored in boundaries for an ODI knock. Gayle’s double ton is the sixth in ODI cricket and the fourth highest score in the fifty over format. The Jamaican giant stitched a humongous partnership worth 372 runs with his compatriot Marlon Samuels, who also scored a hundred in the same game (the highest ever ODI partnership). Gayle’s 215 was the highest individual score in World Cup history up until New Zealand’s Martin Guptill bettered it with a stellar 237* (off 163 balls) in New Zealand’s quarter final tie against West Indies in Wellington.
8. WAS IT A MATCH OR ONE OF HITCHCOCK’S THRILLERS?
If you are a patient suffering from heart disease, you simply cannot afford to put your life at risk by watching matches such as this. Prior to its commencement, the game was expected to be an evenly poised contest as both sides were blessed with several in-form players and were well balanced in every department. Batting first, the Proteas put up an enormous score of 281 runs on the board, which set New Zealand a revised D/L target of 298 runs. Earlier during the South African innings, David Miller (49 off 18 balls) pumped the accelerator and some lusty blows from his blade ensured that the Proteas reached a formidable score of 281.
The task was well cut out for Brendon McCullum and Co. and the Kiwi skipper started off the New Zealand innings in the most emphatic manner possible by launching a ruthless assault on world beaters like Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel. He scored a quick-fire 59 off 26 balls, intended to lessen the burden on the shoulders of the batsmen to follow. But, the explosive opener soon fell to Steyn and thereafter what followed was a middle order collapse, leaving New Zealand reeling at 149/4 at one stage. The Proteas who have become synonymous with the ‘Chokers tag’ over the years looked in perfect shape to turn the tables around. Grant Elliott and Corey Anderson had a mountain to climb but that didn’t deter them from delivering a counter punch. Anderson scored valuable 58 runs before getting run out but Elliott continued to keep the scoreboard ticking which left the equation at 12 needed from the final over. Many would have backed Vettori to do the job, given the wealth of experience the veteran has at his disposal but it was South African born Elliott who took the Black Caps across the finish line by lofting the penultimate delivery over long-on to finish unbeaten on 84. In the end, the South Africans looked highly dejected and crestfallen unlike the rejuvenated Kiwis who made it to the final of the World Cup for the first time ever, but Elliott showed enough courtesy to offer Steyn a hand, whom he hit for 2 sixes in the final over of the game- a frame you would want your walls to adore forever.
7. THE AUSSIES DELIVER A FIVE STAR PERFORMANCE
Hot favorites Australia lived up to their reputation by beating New Zealand by 7 wickets in the final of the 2015 ICC CWC at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. The stage was set as 93,013 people gathered at the MCG to watch the grand finale. It was indeed an emotional setting for the Aussies as their skipper Michael Clarke had announced his retirement from ODI Cricket on the eve of the big final. The players wanted to win the World Cup at any cost to thank their leader for his 10 years of faithful service to Australian Cricket in limited overs cricket. Electing to bat first, the Kiwis could post no more than 183 runs on the board; largely due to the efforts of the Aussie pacers. Grant Elliott (83) did his best to pull his side out of the precarious situation, but his act withered away owing to a horrid display by the rest of the batting department. The Aussies overwhelmed their Trans-Tasmanian rivals and reached the target with 107 balls to spare. Michael Clarke top scored for the Aussies with a classy 74 off 72 deliveries, which helped his side bag the most prestigious trophy of the game for the fifth time. James Faulkner was adjudged the ‘Man of the Match’ for his figures of 3/30 and Mitchell Starc was conferred the ‘Man of the Tournament’ for his 22 wickets.
6. FAREWELL GENTLEMEN
If 1930 is referred to as the year which experienced the ‘Great Economic Depression’, 2015 will go down in history as the year of retirements. As many as 22 cricketers have retired from international cricket in some format or the other this year, of who many are no less than stalwarts. While some like Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik and Shane Watson have hung up their boots in a particular format, others such as Kumar Sangakkara, Michael Clarke and Virender Sehwag have left the international circuit altogether. The youngsters will need to pick up the baton from the seniors’ as early as they can and fill the large boots left by their predecessors.
The cricketers who have called it a day in 2015 are Michael Clarke (all formats), Kumar Sangakkara (all formats), Shahid Afridi (ODIs), Zaheer Khan (all formats), Virender Sehwag (all formats), Jonathan Trott (all formats), Shane Watson (Tests), Brendon Taylor (all formats), Ryan Harris (all formats), Mitchell Johnson (all formats), Daniel Vettori (all formats), Brad Haddin (all formats), Chris Rogers (all formats), Shoaib Malik (Tests), Aakash Chopra (all formats), Mahela Jayawardene (all formats), Misbah-ul-Haq (ODIs), Younus Khan (ODIs), Ian Bell (ODIs), Chris Tremelett (all formats), Hrishikesh Kanitkar (all formats) and Kyle Mills (all formats).
5. ENGLAND RISE FROM THE ‘ASHES’ LIKE A PHOENIX, THWART THE AUSSIES 3-2
The Alaistar Cook led England side lacked confidence and self-assurance before going into the Ashes on home soil earlier this year. On the contrary, the Aussies, who were fresh from a successful World Cup campaign and a Test series victory in the Caribbean, were brimming with confidence and looked determined to retain the Ashes, which they clinched in December 2013 in home conditions. The series as it began to reach its conclusion, left many teary eyed as Michael Clarke, Chris Rogers, Brad Haddin and Ryan Harris decided to hang up their boots in international cricket. The 5 matches of the series were played at Sophia Gardens, LORD’S, Edgbaston, Trent Bridge and the Oval respectively. The hosts overpowered their Aussie counterparts with a 3-2 score line. The then Australian vice-captain, Steven Smith finished the series with 508 runs, whereas England’s Stuart Broad scalped 21 wickets in the course of the long and hectic series. In game four of the series played at Trent Bridge, Broad recorded figures of 8/15- which happen to be the third best for any England bowler in an Ashes Test.
4. BANGLADESH’S METEORIC RISE AND A ‘KID’ NAMED MUSTAFIZUR RAHMAN
Bangladesh has long been an allegory of David when it comes to the sphere of cricket, often looked down upon as sprats by the big fat bullies or the so called ‘Goliaths’. After hanging around the international circuit for 19 long years, the Bangla Tigers have apparently formulated a winning strategy using which they have out gloried some of the best teams in business. First they whitewashed a resurgent Pakistan side 3-0 in April and further enhanced their reputation as giant killers by defeating India 2-1 in a home series in June. Later in July, they would go on to defeat a sturdy South African side 2-1 in yet another home Test series. They also managed to restrict the Proteas to an unanticipated 0-0 draw in the Test series which followed the 3 match ODI series. Even though, cynics may argue that the success of the Bangladeshis can solely be attributed to the 50 overs format, their accomplishments in no way can be challenged given the fact that they have made the cut for the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy. Bangladesh currently stands 7th on the ICC ODI rankings, ahead of Pakistan and West Indies. The competitive spirit exhibited by the side in recent times is evident in the performances of young guns like Mustafizur Rahman and Soumya Sarkar. While Sarkar has lent solidity at the top of the other, Mustafizur has bamboozled visiting batsmen with his perplexing slower off cutters. The 19 year old left arm pacer from Satkhira grabbed consecutive five wicket hauls in his first 2 ODIs against India which resulted in his transition from a ‘kid’ to a tyrant.
3. A CONSTELLATION OF INNUMERABLE CRICKETING STARS
Nostalgia reached a fever pitch as cricket witnessed a ‘one of its kind tournament’ in the All Stars League held earlier this year in November. An exhibition T20 series involving retired cricketers, the 3 match series took place in the USA (in New York, Houston and Los Angeles respectively). The league is the brainchild of cricketing legends Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne and is aimed at promoting the game in the USA. The two Captains picked their respective squads by means of a lottery on 5th November at the Times Square. The most fascinating aspect about the tournament is that it was played in baseball stadiums, on drop-in pitches that were prepared by a curator hailing from New Zealand. Fans were compelled to reminisce the golden days of Indian Cricket when they saw Sachin Tendulkar open the batting alongside Virender Sehwag for the Sachin’s Blasters. Warne’s Warriors also spiked ecstasies as they involved the likes of Jacques Kallis, Ricky Ponting and Kumar in the same line-up. Sourav Ganguly joined the gala event from the 2nd game. He hit a crisp fifty in the last game for the Sachin’s Blasters which went on a losing cause. The Shane Warne led Warriors whitewashed Sachin’s Blasters 3-0 and clinched the trophy in the inaugural edition. Kumar Sangakkara was adjudged the Man of the Tournament for scoring 153 runs in 3 matches at a spectacular average of 51 and a blistering strike rate of 192. The next edition will be played at 6 venues across the UK and the USA.
2. ASHWIN, THE RESCUER
As the title suggests, Ravichandran Ashwin has undergone a massive transformation in 2015 and has turned out to be Team India’s ‘man for all seasons’. The off-spinner from Chennai has picked up sixty two, twenty and four wickets in Tests, ODIs and T20Is respectively. Ashwin has five ‘Man of the Series’ awards to his name and in the process he has equalled the feats of Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar. His exploits with the ball helped India beat Sri Lanka 2-1 in the 3 match away Test series. He also played a vital role in guiding India to a 3-0 whitewash of the Proteas in the recently concluded Mahatma Gandhi-Nelson Mandela Test series. He has tantalised some of the best batsmen to have ever graced the field; who have been constantly deceived by his trickery. Not only has he prolonged his net sessions to good effect but has also made constant endeavours to emerge as a better bowler. A reliable source has revealed that he rented an apartment in Australia prior to the commencement of the World Cup and woke up early in the morning (at around 5 am every day) to train through his own efforts. Ashwin 2.0 is an updated version of the former trickster who would bowl variations every now and then. The modified version wants to develop his game by discussing cricket with his teammates. Whenever he finds a free time, he utilises it in watching footages of former international players on YouTube- an exemplary example of his sheer appetite for excellence.
1. ADELAIDE MARKS THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA IN THE FORM OF D/N TESTS
The youngsters of today, who claim themselves to be representatives of ‘Generation Next’, did not witness Kerry Packer’s revolutionary World Series Cricket staged between 1977 and 1979. Although the series lacked solid ground owing to financial straits and subsequent disapproval by the ICC, it drastically transfigured the mildest of the conservatives in general and showed the cricketing fraternity that the game has the potential to enrapture global markets, if improvised properly. Amusingly, the business tycoon ushered in a far sighted ‘rebellion’ in the form of Super Tests which comprised coloured clothing and the use of floodlights.
Coincidentally, Adelaide Oval testified to something similar on November 27, 2015 (exactly 36 years after the commencement of the erstwhile World Series Cricket) when Australia squared off against New Zealand in the final Test of the 3 match series.
The longest format of the game had been a cause of concern for the ICC up until the inauguration of the D/N Tests for the reason that it was unable to pull enough crowds to the
The match was played with a pink ball under flood lights and the break after the first session was tea instead of the conventional lunch break. While Martin Guptill and Mitchell Starc became the first ever batsman and the first ever bowler to face a ball and bowl a delivery respectively, Tom Latham became the first ever batsman to hit a fifty in the latest edition of Test cricket. The match reached a hasty conclusion on the third day itself as Australia cruised to victory with 3 wickets in hand. Josh Hazlewood was adjudged the Man of the Match for his match figures of 9/136.
The total attendance of the match accounted for 1,23,736 heads which only goes to echo the question, ‘’Why did it take the ICC so long to materialise an idea which was conceived 40 years ago?’’.
It’s better late than never.
2015 has been a landmark year for the game as is evident from the aforementioned 10 points. If this year has been a hundred in the context of cricket, hopefully next year will turn out to be a daddy hundred and will have more surprises in store..