After another memorable summer, ecb.co.uk’s Matt Somerford has picked out his best moments of the season in both international and domestic cricket.
Second Investec Test v Sri Lanka - Headingley
For nerve-shredding drama it is hard to go past the last-gasp finish to the second Investec Test against Sri Lanka at Headingley.
The result did not go England’s way, but it was a match that will live long in the memory of anyone who witnessed it.
James Anderson is not usually prone to public displays of emotion, but his tearful reaction to defeat in the post-match presentation released the tension built up over the course of a riveting final day.
AfterMoeen Ali had been impassable all day en-route to his maiden Test century – once England had began on 57 for five – Anderson was left to face the final over of the day from Shaminda Eranga.
Anderson had ably negotiated 54 balls, and 81 minutes, shelving all strokeplay in aid of the situation. Runs were not required and the number 11 was moments away from celebrating the best zero of his life.
But with two balls left in the match, Eranga produced a beast of a short delivery that a recoiling Anderson shovelled to short backward point as a matter of self-preservation.
Rangana Herath held on and Sri Lanka celebrated their first Test series win in England – a week after holding on in similar circumstances in the first Test at Lord’s.
NatWest T20 Blast final
It was almost the perfect comeback story for Andrew Flintoff.
The former England skipper’s return to competitive cricket after five years had initially been a slow burner during the course of the Blast competition.
After being ruled out of a much-publicised Roses return at Emirates Old Trafford – perhaps just as well after Aaron Finch peppered The Point – his return came in the quieter surrounds of a 50-run win over Worcestershire Rapids at New Road.
A pair of wickets was solid start and while Flintoff did enough thereafter to prove he still had it at the age of 36, in true Flintoff style, he reserved his best for the big occasion on Finals Day.
Kabir Ali’s semi-final injury presented him with a place in the decider and, as his side’s hopes faded, Flintoff walked out to bat with the steely look Australia got to know very well during their great Ashes battles.
With 26 needed from eight balls, victory was a long shot.
Flintoff responded depositing Oliver Hannon-Dalby for back-to-back sixes.
Suddenly the Flintoff swagger was rekindled – at the ground where he made one of his most memorable England contributions in 2005.
The fairytale finish was writing itself, or so we thought, until Chris Woakes played the role of party pooper - delivering a nerveless final over to secure Birmingham’s maiden Twenty20 title.