After another memorable summer, ecb.co.uk’s Jonathan Veal has picked out his best moments in international and domestic cricket.
James Anderson and Joe Root add 198 for England’s last wicket
Think of James Anderson in full flow at Trent Bridge and you will probably remember his unplayable delivery to dismiss Michael Clarke in the 2013 Investec Ashes or his career-best 7-43 against New Zealand in 2007.
After all, the home of Nottinghamshire has been a particularly happy hunting ground for England’s all-time international wicket-taker where he has been able to gain swing and movement and cause opposition batsman to have nightmares.
But it was with the bat that he became a hero in the first Investec Test against India this summer, playing his part in a match-defining last-wicket stand of 198 with Joe Root that pulled the hosts out of a difficult position.
Anderson, who had taken three wickets in 38 overs as India amassed 457 in the first innings on a lifeless pitch, looked like he would soon be pulling on his bowling boots again as he came to the middle with his side on the rack at 298 for nine.
It was his first time at the crease for England since his heart-breaking final-over dismissal in the second Investec Test defeat to Sri Lanka at Headingley and he made up for that disappointment in some style.
Joining Root, who was 50 not out, Yorkshire and Lancashire combined to rewrite the history books and bat England to safety in a game that ultimately ended in a draw.
This was no ordinary late-innings stand between an established batsman and a number 11, though, as Anderson defied his career average of 10 with an array of shots that dominated the highlights reel.
Reverse-sweeps, glorious cover drives, elegant clips off the hips and extravagant cuts all brought Anderson eye-catching boundaries as the left-hander only ignored the textbook once, bringing up his maiden Test fifty with a one-handed slog through midwicket.
Root was playing a masterclass of an innings at the other end too and went to his fourth Test century as the pair made India’s bowlers toil for 53.2 overs in their epic stand, which became the highest 10th-wicket partnership in Test history.
When Anderson was finally dismissed on 81, it ended the longest innings by a number 11 in Test history and also became the highest score by an England number 11, giving the hosts a first-innings lead of 39.
Anderson was not able to produce a similar sort of magic with the ball as the tourists racked up a hefty third-innings score to ensure the opening rubber of the series ended in a dull draw – but the Lancastrian’s contribution with the bat lit up Trent Bridge.
Alfonso Thomas takes four in four for Somerset
If you are looking for the ultimate match-deciding performance then it is impossible to look past Alfonso Thomas claiming four wickets in four balls for Somerset in their LV= County Championship Division One clash with Sussex at Taunton in June.
The South African right-armer blew the visitors away in the second innings on the third morning as in the space of 10 deliveries Ed Joyce’s men lost five wickets for no runs, with Peter Trego also getting in on the act.
But it was Thomas who caused the real damage as he inspired an emphatic six-wicket victory and became the first Somerset player to take four in four in first-class cricket.
And the game needed Thomas’ influence as it was in the balance going into day three, with Sussex resuming their second innings on 26 for none, 49 runs behind, regular opener Chris Nash and nightwatchman James Anyon having negotiated the opening five overs.
But then Thomas came to the party with a sublime spell of bowling.
First he castled Anyon off the inside edge with the fourth ball of the sixth over, before wrapping Rory Hamilton-Brown on the boot with the next delivery.
He then brought up his hat-trick as he drew Joyce into nibbling outside his off stump and the skipper was caught behind.
While Thomas was raising his hat to the Taunton faithful down at fine-leg, Trego removed Nash in the next over, caught at slip.
Thomas was not done with the fun, and with the first ball of his next over Matt Machan also dragged on to leave the visitors 33 for five.
Luke Wright and Ben Brown steadied the ship and took their side into the lead with a 71-run stand only for them both to fall in quick succession, Thomas claiming a five-for when he removed Wright for 35.
Sussex were eventually bowled out for 178, setting a target of 104, which Somerset made light work of, knocking off the runs in 20 overs for the loss of four wickets.
Nick Compton finished on 38 not out, but it was Thomas who was the hero of the day.