BUBBLES, BIG BROTHER AND BROADY
FLYING START
The year could not have got off to a better start. england, 1-0 down after the first Test of their South Africa tour, hit back in a classic, slow burner of a second Test in Cape Town through a monumental last- day bowling performance from Ben Stokes.
It was the day, really, that Stokes could finally and justifiably be compared with the greatest english all-rounder of them all, Sir Ian Botham, without the need for hyperbole. And, as the Barmy Army roared england over the finishing line in a gripping finale, all seemed well with the world and we appeared set for a wonderful 2020. What could possibly go wrong?
SRI LANKA SHUTDOWN
Well, everything, as it turned out. england claimed a significant series win in South Africa, but their next assignment was halted dramatically in the middle of their final warm-up before the first Test against Sri lanka as the world prepared to close its borders to combat Covid-19.
It was an eerie experience to be at the P Sara ground in Colombo as word went around that the tour was about to be halted. The four english written-press reporters were told what was about to happen by Sri lanka coach Mickey Arthur and his assistant Grant Flower, who were watching the match in a room next to us, before the players awkwardly bumped fists and headed quickly to the airport. No one was sure when we would meet again.
BUBBLES TO THE RESCUE
For a long while it seemed as if the summer would be wiped out, to catastrophic financial effect for the eCB. But it was rescued, thanks to the incredible efforts of all those involved in the brilliantly organised, hyper-strict, biosecure bubbles — headed by the eCB’s Steve elworthy.
They enabled a full summer of men’s international cricket and women’s matches to take place behind closed doors without a single positive Covid test among players, management, media and support staff. It was expensive, with more than £1million spent on tests alone, but it salvaged more than £100m in broadcasting revenue and provided a summer of compelling cricket for supporters to enjoy via TV and radio.
HOLDING’S BLM MESSAGE
There were plenty of heroes on the pitch in england’s biosecure summer, but just as many off it. None more than Michael holding and ebony rainford-Brent, who featured in an eloquent and powerful opening to Sky’s summer coverage in the wake of the death of George Floyd in Minnesota and the Black lives Matter protests that followed around the globe.
holding has always been one of the great figures of cricket, but the passion and emotion he displayed in an extraordinary piece of television matched anything he produced as one of the best of all fast bowlers. his words, and those of rainford-Brent — who continued to do brilliant work throughout the summer with her African Caribbean engagement Programme — resonated around the cricketing world.
RALLYING ROUND THE WEST INDIES
IF holding was the West Indian star off the pitch, then they had a captain on it who proved just as significant a leader as any in the region’s proud cricketing history.
Jason holder was arguably the most significant figure in saving the summer because he brought West Indies to england when Covid-19 was at its first peak, and showed Pakistan, Ireland and Australia it was safe to follow. how authoritative and dignified holder was in everything he did and said and how apt that he should be at the crease when West Indies won the first Test at the Ageas Bowl.
The whole english game is indebted to him.
BROAD WALKS THE WALK
holdING and rainford-Brent were not the only ones to make their mark on Sky during the first Test. Their Big Brother- style ‘diary room’ was the stage for a far-from-routine player interview with Stuart Broad, who was angry at being left out of the england side and wanted everyone to know it. It showed the fire still burns fiercely within Broad, and how spectacularly he backed up his words by becoming the bowler of the summer — ending with 29 wickets from the remaining five Tests and on the BBC Sports Personality of the Year shortlist.
Most notably, he took his 500th Test wicket when he trapped Kraigg Brathwaite in Manchester to join an elite group. england won’t be leaving him out again in a hurry.
DON’T FORGET JIMMY
IF Broad’s 500th Test wicket was a momentous achievement, then how about Jimmy Anderson’s 600th? It was cold, wet and miserable in Southampton on the last day of a third Test against Pakistan that may have been abandoned altogether were it not for Anderson being on the brink of an extraordinary landmark.
So play was made possible for Anderson to dismiss Azhar Ali and become the first seamer in Test history to reach 600 wickets. An empty Ageas Bowl would not have been his choice for such a huge moment, but those of us privileged to be there — and privileged is the right word — broke press box protocol to make sure there was some applause for the big occasion.
A STAR IS BORN
ANderSoN’S moment of history was not even the most notable performance of that drawn third Test. Step forward 22-year-old Zak Crawley, picked on potential rather than achievement with Kent, who justified the faith ed Smith in particular put in him with a truly great innings. Crawley’s 267 was the second highest maiden century by an england batsman, while he became the third youngest englishman to record a double century. england had already unearthed one young Test batsman of enormous promise in ollie Pope — and now this blighted year had given us two.
MANCHESTER MIRACLE
So england came from behind to beat West Indies and were undefeated in all of their white-ball series, bar a last- ditch 50- over loss to Australia in what became, against all odds, a memorable summer. But it was the win that gave them a Test series victory against Pakistan at old Trafford that stands out. We had seen the Lift-off: Crawley announces himself with a double ton
PA
Ben Stokes-inspired Miracle of headingley in 2019, and now came the Miracle of Manchester. england were 117 for five chasing 277 when Chris Woakes and Jos Buttler came together in that first Test, but they pulled off a thrilling three-wicket win, Woakes finishing unbeaten on 84. how the huge temporary party stand would have roared its approval in normal times.
THE OLD AND THE NEW
JuST as important as a full summer of international cricket was the eCB’s ability to salvage a shortened domestic summer of first- class and Twenty20 matches, culminating in the inaugural Bob Willis Trophy final at lord’s between the best two county red- ball sides: essex and Somerset. how great it was to be back at the home of cricket and how fitting that the trophy should be named after a great man of the game who passed away at the end of last year. essex, who pipped Somerset to the title in 2019, were worthy winners again, albeit by the tie-breaker of a first innings lead in a drawn five-day final.
It began in surreal fashion, with Somerset fan John Cleese lambasting batsman Tom Banton for making himself unavailable and going off to play in the IPl, and ended with two batsmen at opposite ends of their careers making outstanding centuries.
Step forward 20-year- old Tom lammonby, of which much more will be heard, and Sir Alastair Cook — more expansive than ever in making a decisive 172 for essex. The old master has now been integral to two major titles for his county in as many years, and is as dedicated and determined as he ever was in his record-breaking career with england.
We must enjoy Cook while we can, because next year could well be his last before retiring.
EARLY FLIGHT AGAIN
The year ended, sadly, as it did when the pandemic hit in March. Another curtailed tour, this time of South Africa — when a far less stringent biosecure bubble burst after england’s 3-0 Twenty20 series win, forcing them to abandon the 50- over matches and head for home.
To be at beautiful Newlands and Boland Park in Paarl when it became apparent the teams would not be joining us was a sober reminder that cricket, like all of us, will have to cope with a Covid world for a while yet.
There will be more cricket than ever in 2021 as the game makes up for lost time, but it remains to be seen how soon the fans — refreshingly present in New Zealand and Australia — can be there to see it in england. Normality cannot return soon enough.