A cricketing year in review…

2009 has been a great year for the sport. So let’s look back on what happened during the last 12 months…

January. In very early January Andrew Strauss became the new England skipper following Kevin Pietersen’s sudden resignation as England captain during the Winter tour of the West Indies. Andrew Strauss then went on to captain the England side to an Ashes victory during the summer. South Africa won the three test series against Australia 2-1.

February. At the start of February the ICC confirmed that Pakistan would not hold the Champions Trophy due to security concerns. Middlesex CCC changed their limited overs name from Crusaders to Panthers. Zimbabwe defeated Kenya in a 5-0 whitewash.

March. The West Indies defeated England in the Wisden trophy 1-0 with 4 matches drawn. Australia defeated South Africa in a three test series 2-1. Sri Lanka drew with Pakistan in a two test series, 0-0. India defeated New Zeland in an ODI series 3-1. England womens cricket team won the ICC womens world cup with a four wicket win over New Zealand. Gunmen attacked a bus carrying the Sri Lankan cricket team on its way to play in the Pakistani city of Lahore.

April. England womens cricketer Claire Taylor became the first ever woman to be named on the Wisden cricketers of the year. India defeated New Zealand in a three test series 1-0. The Domestic season in England began with the Friends Provident trophy and the County Championship.

May. The ECB gave Andy Flower the coaching job of the England team full-time. The domestic twenty/20 cup started in England.

June. June saw the ICC mens world cup in England. The Ireland team reached the super 8 stage of the world cup for the second time running. They lost out to Sri Lanka.  Pakistan then went on to win the competition. The England womens team won the womens Twenty20 world cup

July. The main thing is July was of course the Ashes between England and Australia. The Ashes included a nail-biting 1st test when Englands numbers 10 and 11, James Anderson and Monty Panesar, held on to get a match drawn in Cardiff. England also had their first win against Australia at Lords in 75 years. Elsewhere in the world Sri lanka defeated Pakistan 2-0 in a three test series and the West Indies lost a two test series  against Bangladesh 2-0. In domestic cricket Hampshire won the friends provident trophy in the final against Sussex.

August. August saw England win the Ashes series back off the Aussies at the Oval. Sri Lanka won an ODI series against Pakistan 3-2. New Zealand lost an ODI series against Bangladesh 4-1. In domestic cricket there was a highly entertaining end to the Twenty20 cup finals day, which included David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd’s mascot race!! The Sussex Sharks were the winner of the trophy.

September. September saw an amazing final day of the Domestic Pro40 competition. After the Sussex Sharks lost to Worcestershire it then came down to the very last ball of the Durham V Somerset game. Durham won their match and Sussex took the title! September also brought an end to the LV County Championship. Durham won divison one and Kent won division two. Australia destoyed the England ODI side in the NatWest series with a 6-1 result.

October. Mitchell Johnson of Australia was named as the ICC’s international player of the year, with Claire Taylor taking the womens award. Australia won the ICC Twenty20 Champions trophy. Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintofff signed with Lancashire county cricket club. New South Wales Blues won the Champions league Twenty20 in India.

November. England won a 5 match ODI series against South Africa 2-1 with 2 matches called off. Bangladesh won an ODI series with Zimbabwe 4-1. Australia won an ODI series against India 4-2.

December. The England mens cricket team were awarded as ‘Team of the year’ during the BBC SPOTY awards. Australia and Pakistan started their test matches in Australia. The Aussies ended ’09 1-0 up in a 3 match series. England and South Africa started their test matches in South Africa. They ended ’09 0-0 in a 5 test series.

As you can see 2009 had many tours, tests, matches, draws, wins and, of course, losses. It was an exciting and entertaining year for cricket. For me personally it was an introduction to county cricket, which was exceptionally exciting and entertaining. All O can say is that I hope 2010 will be just as good.