20 images that defined the year in cricket in 2015

2015 started with the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand and ended with South Africa slowly but surely losing their grip on the No.1 ranking in Tests. In between there were some fascinating series between the top teams.Although the year was dominated by batsmen continuing to score loads of runs, Ravichandran Ashwin in Tests and Mitchell in ODIs made sure that the batsmen didn’t have it all their own way.Kane Williamson dominated the run-scoring charts and Australia added yet another World Cup, but what made the year so special was the things people least expected.With that in mind, here are the 20 images that defined the year in cricket in 2015:

#1 Is AB really human?

These days, no list of top moments, best plays or players is complete without the mention of AB de Villiers. So let us start with him, as it was he who kicked the year off in style.

His 44-ball 149 against West Indies smashed the record for the fastest ODI fifty and hundred. Here he is on, his way to an innings that will go down as one of the finest in living memory.

#2 Scenic setting for an epic encounter

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. It certainly is true, at least on the evidence of this picture, before the World Cup group encounter between India and Pakistan in Adelaide.

Although the match was played in a neutral venue far away from both countries, the stadium was still packed and the atmosphere was still as good as it would have been in Peshawar or Pune.

#3 Kohli lights up Adelaide

Whether the game is played at the Eden Gardens or Karachi, the UAE or even in Australia, clashes between India and Pakistan are always fiesty. More so, in a World Cup match.

The rivalry between the two sets of supporters is clearly evident in this image as it shows the players waiting for the smoke from the pre-match fireworks, to settle. Although the match was played in Adelaide, the noise level and passion was there for all to see.

#4 How did he do that?

The coaching manual of cricketing shots contains a vast array of shots. From the hook to the on drive, from the cover drive to the leg glance, there are so many in the manual.

But the one Rilee Rossouw pulled out during the World Cup group match for South Africa against West Indies was not only something that wasn’t in the manual, but was also one that will go down as one of the most extravagant in the history of cricket.

#5 Sweet Chin Music

Pakistan didn’t the have the greatest World Cup. But if there is one game that every Pakistan supporter will cherish or at least, one moment that will live long in their memory is Wahab Riaz’s spell against Shane Watson in the quarter-final.

It was a spell of fiery fast bowling which although didn’t result in a wicket, will go down as an anachronism as spells of that ilk are almost entirely absent from modern day cricket dominated by the willow.

#6 AB shows he is human after all

The World Cup Semi-final between South Africa and New Zealand was arguably one of the games of the tournament. And while AB did his job with the willow at hand, he wasn’t similarly successful in the field.

Here, he misses a run out, which along with a dropped catch,all but cost the Proteas their chance of making it to their first World Cup final.

#7 A gentleman\'s game

Cricket has always been known as a gentleman’s game. And if ever there was proof of that statement, then it is this picture captured at the end of the World Cup Semi-final.

After helping the country he represents (New Zealand) beat the country of his birth (South Africa), Grant Elliott showed that there is more to cricket than just winning, but helping his opponent get on his feet.

#8 Some things never change

The sun rises in the east, India beating Pakistan in the World Cup and Australia winning the World Cup. Despite the constant changes in the world, it is always nice to know that some things never change.

In 2015, Australia, who had already won more World Cups than any other country, made it five after beating New Zealand at the MCG.

#9 Rolling back the years

Australia are without a doubt the most successful team in the world. Their ability to continually produce world-class players, whether it is batsmen or bowlers, is simply staggering.

So it is no wonder they have won more World Cups than anyone else. Here is a picture of their World Cup-winning captains from 1987 to 2015 (Allan Border to Michael Clarke).

#10 New dawn for English cricket

A total of 350 or more was only chased thrice in the history of ODIs when England walked out to bat at Nottingham on 17 June 2015.

But an unbeaten century from their best player of the year, Joe Root ensured that the hosts made history as they walked off Trent Bridge.

#11 Stokes has no answer

First day of the first Ashes Test at Cardiff was one that saw tensions and tempers flare as the hosts were battling for control.

Mitchell Starc, who came in on the back of a fantastic performance at the World Cup, saw the back of Ben Stokes and the left arm fast bowler let the Englishman know who was on top before he walked away from the crease.

#12 IPL in disarray

The image of the Indian Premier League took a turn for the worse in 2015 after Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals were suspended for two years after their involvement in the 2013 scandal.

While the emergence of two new franchises in Pune and Rajkot ensures an eight-team IPL, the reputation of the cash-rich domestic T20 league was tarnished forever.

#13 Broad\'s OMG moment

When a picture captures the sheer joy and emotion of a particular moment in all of its glory, then it remains one that will be cherished forever. That was the case in this image, which perfectly portrays the sheer shock and joy on Stuart Broad’s face after Ben Stokes pulled off a blinder to dismiss Adam Voges in the fourth Ashes Test.

Although he would go on to finish with incredible figures of 15-8 in the first innings, it is this picture that is likely to linger long in the memory of every English fan.

#14 Clarke trying to hold back the tears

When Michael Clarke called time on his glittering international career, which saw him lift the World Cup as captain just earlier in the year, at the end of the Ashes, it was an emotional moment for both himself and the fans.

In the post-match press conference, Clarke tried his best to control his emotion and hold back the tears that were trying to emerge from his eyes.

#15 Was it against the spirit of the game?

One of the biggest controversies of the year was the manner in which Ben Stokes was dismissed in the second ODI of the Royal London ODI series between England and Australia.

While there are plenty of arguments for and against the decision to give him out obstructing the field, one can certainly agree that it was a judgement call, which Stokes, unfortunately, didn’t get on the right side of.

#16 Highs and Lows of the game

While perhaps not as significant in terms of its importance in the year, no one can argue that the sight of James Taylor taking on Mohammad Irfan in the ODI series between Pakistan and England wasn’t hysterical.

Taylor, who later admitted that he gets neckache after facing Irfan, got the better of the fast bowler in the end, as England won the ODI series comfortably. The picture is further proof that good cricketers come in all shapes and sizes.

#17 Dhoni looking at an alternate career?

For as long as it has been played, cricket has always been a gentleman's game. While fiery fast bowlers and hard-hitting batsman have and will continue to exist, that will not take anything away from sportsmanship shown by the players.

With South Africa on top and Faf du Plessis, who was batting on an unbeaten hundred, a peculiar sight unfolded in the fifth ODI between India and South Africa.

Du Plessis, who had smoked the ball to all corners of the ground, collapsed with cramps, but his CSK teammate MS Dhoni came to his rescue and helped him stretch and get better, although India were on the wrong end of a hammering.

#18 The moment fans had been waiting for

When the schedule for the Cricket All-Stars were announced, it left the cricket fans all over the world, salivating at the prospect of seeing their favourite legends back in action once again.

Some of the finest batsmen and bowlers to have ever played the game, including Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne took part in what was an entertaining and exciting exhibition series.

#19 Old rivalries re-ignited

One of cricket's greatest rivalries of the last two decades was briefly re-ignited as Shane Warne and Sachin Tendulkar faced off against each other in the Cricket All-Stars that happened in the USA.

Although Sachin scored more runs and was the better individual performer, it was Warne who had the last laugh as his side beat Sachin's team 3-0 in the three-match T20 series.

#20 History beckons

Cricketing history was made in Adelaide as Australia played against New Zealand in the first ever day-night Test match. Great crowd, plenty of buzz surrounding the game and a scenic sunset all made the event all the more memorable.

The hosts won the game by 3 wickets and took home the Trans-Tasman series 2-0 on the third day.