England
by Andrew Miller
I’ll try to keep it brief… but good grief.
This was a year like no other for the England men’s Test team, one where winning a World Cup to become the first team to hold both white-ball world titles at the same time was arguably not the greatest of their successes. It began amid existential despair at the Ashes, and ended with a triumph in Pakistan as absolute as it was unprecedented. It began with an abject record of one Test win in 17, and ended with nine incredible wins in ten. It began with Joe Root clinging on as Test captain because there were no realistic alternatives, and ended with Ben Stokes being hailed as England’s best since Brearley.
And by the end of the year, England had desecrated Test cricket in the best and most literal sense – “Bazball”, as everyone bar the team themselves were describing Stokes and Brendon McCullum’s new liberated approach to the ancient format, had stripped back the pomp and unleashed that inner white-ball beast.
Suddenly England were playing a version of the game in which nothing mattered bar the endgame – “Strip it back, it’s only you and the bowler there,” as Jonny Bairstow put it after his sensational century in the second Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, the moment at which it was clear that this England team had entered a collective zone quite unlike anything the game has ever before witnessed.
For the women, it wasn’t quite such a cathartic year, for all that it began with a similarly shattering trouncing in the antipodes. Nat Sciver’s heroic century against Australia in the World Cup final ensured a dignified end to a gruelling winter, but it couldn’t disguise the sense that a champion team had reached the end of its road.
At least in the likes of Issy Wong, Alice Capsey and Freya Kemp, the team had a knot of oven-ready starlets, honed in the Hundred and ready to step. But the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham came too soon for an exciting but raw side, and India proved too strong. With Heather Knight and Sciver missing key portions of the summer, it wasn’t until December’s tour of the Caribbean (under new head coach Jon Lewis) that they returned to regular winning ways. Unlike the men in Pakistan, however, their clean sweep raised barely a mutter of recognition.
High point
Nine Test wins in ten, and every one of them a stunning display in its own right. But the Rawalpindi victory was in a different league entirely. That first-day total of 506 for 4, that last-day surge after Stokes’ impeccably judged declaration. And all achieved in spite of a debilitating sickness bug on the eve of the Test. All the recipes for instant greatness.
Nine Test wins in ten, and every one of them a stunning display in its own right. But the Rawalpindi victory was in a different league entirely. That first-day total of 506 for 4, that last-day surge after Stokes’ impeccably judged declaration. And all achieved in spite of a debilitating sickness bug on the eve of the Test. All the recipes for instant greatness.
Low point
Did the Ashes even happen this year? The midwinter misery of 2021-22 could not seem a more distant memory. But if we have to dredge into long-forgotten horrors, then the loss of ten wickets for 56 runs in 22.5 overs on the final day of the series in Hobart seems a suitably bum note to hit.
Did the Ashes even happen this year? The midwinter misery of 2021-22 could not seem a more distant memory. But if we have to dredge into long-forgotten horrors, then the loss of ten wickets for 56 runs in 22.5 overs on the final day of the series in Hobart seems a suitably bum note to hit.
Results
India
by Sidharth Monga
Losing a Test series in South Africa, losing the decider of the Test series, brought forward from last year, in England, an early exit in the Asia Cup, losing in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup in Australia, losing an ODI series to Bangladesh in Bangladesh – this is hardly the honeymoon period either Rohit Sharma, the new captain of the men’s side, or Rahul Dravid, the new coach, would have hoped for. Especially after the heady highs of last year’s Test series win in Australia.
Losing a Test series in South Africa, losing the decider of the Test series, brought forward from last year, in England, an early exit in the Asia Cup, losing in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup in Australia, losing an ODI series to Bangladesh in Bangladesh – this is hardly the honeymoon period either Rohit Sharma, the new captain of the men’s side, or Rahul Dravid, the new coach, would have hoped for. Especially after the heady highs of last year’s Test series win in Australia.
The disappointment from both the fans and the board despite the best win-loss ratio among ICC Full Members in all international cricket should tell this team in transition that they aren’t expected to just get by but to win big Test series away and win ICC tournaments.
High point
India Women went to the home of the ODI World Cup runners-up, England, as absolute no-hopers. However, after finishing the Commonwealth Games two shots from the title, they continued their good form in the bilateral ODIs against the hosts, providing Goswami with a perfect farewell . Harmanpreet Kaur, the captain, scored 221 runs while getting out only once, Renuka Singh emerged as a new fast-bowling hope, and they rattled a few cages by running out a batter who was backing up too far before the ball left the bowler’s hand.
India Women went to the home of the ODI World Cup runners-up, England, as absolute no-hopers. However, after finishing the Commonwealth Games two shots from the title, they continued their good form in the bilateral ODIs against the hosts, providing Goswami with a perfect farewell . Harmanpreet Kaur, the captain, scored 221 runs while getting out only once, Renuka Singh emerged as a new fast-bowling hope, and they rattled a few cages by running out a batter who was backing up too far before the ball left the bowler’s hand.
Low point
The men could smell a series win in South Africa. In fact, after the first Test, which they won comprehensively, and after three innings of the second, it looked like it was theirs. This team was known for winning if it won the toss, especially when it had well above 200 to defend in the last innings. However, they failed to defend 239 and 211 in that second Test and the one that followed, on spicy tracks. It was not just that they lost; they lost by seven wickets each time and conceded the runs in a hurry. India had a good attack but the pitches suited the taller South African bowlers more, costing the visitors their best chance at a series win in South Africa to date.
The men could smell a series win in South Africa. In fact, after the first Test, which they won comprehensively, and after three innings of the second, it looked like it was theirs. This team was known for winning if it won the toss, especially when it had well above 200 to defend in the last innings. However, they failed to defend 239 and 211 in that second Test and the one that followed, on spicy tracks. It was not just that they lost; they lost by seven wickets each time and conceded the runs in a hurry. India had a good attack but the pitches suited the taller South African bowlers more, costing the visitors their best chance at a series win in South Africa to date.
Results
West Indies
It all started with Kieron Pollard’s retirement in April following a testy relationship with the cricket board. No inkling of his stepping away was on the horizon even two months prior, when he led the team on their white-ball tour of India, but rumblings began after they were blanked 6-0.
West Indies only success this year overseas was in the Netherlands, where they won 3-0 with a young team under new captain Nicholas Pooran – though he eventually stepped down from the post after their ignominious World Cup exit. Their qualification for next year’s 50-overs World Cup a year out isn’t a done deal yet; they are tussling with three teams for one remaining spot.
The women’s team perhaps exceeded expectations by reaching the semi-finals of the 50-over World Cup, but off-field issues were ever present. If Covid proved challenging, their immediate future without talismanic allrounder Deandra Dottin could be tougher yet.
Dottin retired in the middle of Barbados’ Commonwealth Games campaign citing a less-than-ideal “current climate and team environment” and taking potshots at the administration.
Like at the start of the year, West Indies cricket at large is once again at the crossroads and in need of a thorough rejuvenation.
High point
Beating hosts New Zealand and England back to back to begin the Women’s World Cup with two massive wins many didn’t anticipate.
Beating hosts New Zealand and England back to back to begin the Women’s World Cup with two massive wins many didn’t anticipate.
Low point
The men’s home ODI series loss to Ireland, who would also knock them out in the first round of the T20 World Cup with a nine-wicket pounding.
Results
Bangladesh
by Mohammad Isam
The numbers don’t suggest it but 2022 was one of Bangladesh’s most productive years in international cricket – they won more matches in 2021, but 2022 is comparable to 2015 in terms of the quality of the opposition they defeated.
The numbers don’t suggest it but 2022 was one of Bangladesh’s most productive years in international cricket – they won more matches in 2021, but 2022 is comparable to 2015 in terms of the quality of the opposition they defeated.
Litton Das had a stellar year in all formats, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz established himself as a reliable allrounder for the team. The rise of Bangladesh’s fast bowling across formats has been noteworthy too.
The sole highlight for the women’s team was the win over Pakistan in the World Cup. They struggled in the T20 Asia Cup later in the year, where, despite being defending champions, they couldn’t reach the semi-finals. Captain Nigar Sultana had a good year with the bat, topping the batting charts in ODIs and T20Is, while Salma Khatun and Nahida Akter were among the main wicket-takers.
High point
The miracle at Mount Maunganui and the 2-1 wins over South Africa and India in ODIs were high-water marks in Bangladesh’s cricket history.
Results
Afghanistan
by Peter Della Penna
Afghanistan may not have the seismic upset results over the years that other teams have had on the pathway from Associate to Full Member status, but 2022 showed that they continue to make steady progress in gaining respect with a steady march up the global rankings.
As for T20Is, they once again showed flashes of immense promise thanks to their factory line of T20 franchise stars. Afghanistan advanced to the Super Four of the Asia Cup, but stumbled once there. Their T20 World Cup experience was severely rain-affected, with two matches washed out, though they gave defending champions Australia a scare in what amounted to a consolation match to end the group stage. It showed that a victory over the Aussies, which may have seemed far-fetched a decade ago, is not so hard to envision anymore.
High point
Beating eventual champions Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to top Group B in the first round of the Asia Cup.
Beating eventual champions Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to top Group B in the first round of the Asia Cup.
Low point
Continued inactivity for women’s cricket initiatives at domestic and national team level, which is part of the criteria to be a Full Member of the ICC.
Results
Zimbabwe
Dave Houghton, the country’s first Test captain, had an immediate impact after he replaced Lalchand Rajput – who moved sideways into the position of technical director – in June. Zimbabwe won the T20 World Cup Qualifier, held at home, a month later and earned a spot at an ICC event for the first time since 2016. They also had an impressive run through the T20 World Cup, where they got into the Super 12. They also beat Bangladesh in an ODI series for the first time since 2013 and won an ODI in Australia for the first time ever, but remain out of automatic contention for the 2023 World Cup.
Zimbabwe did not play a single Test in 2022 and only have five scheduled in 2023 (two against West Indies and one against Ireland at home, and two against Afghanistan away). Their focus seems to be shifting to the shorter formats, and they will even host a T10 tournament in January 2023. They do, however, remain committed to long-format players. Gary Ballance, who was schooled in Harare and has played 23 Tests for England, opted out of his Yorkshire contract early and has signed a two-year deal with Zimbabwe Cricket.
High point
Zimbabwe stunned eventual finalists Pakistan in the T20 World Cup by defending an under-par 130 in Perth. Pakistan were on track on 88 for 3 before Zimbabwe’s man of the year, Sikandar Raza, took three wickets in five balls. Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani squeezed the Pakistan batting and Brad Evans defended ten runs off the last over to secure a massive upset.
Zimbabwe stunned eventual finalists Pakistan in the T20 World Cup by defending an under-par 130 in Perth. Pakistan were on track on 88 for 3 before Zimbabwe’s man of the year, Sikandar Raza, took three wickets in five balls. Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani squeezed the Pakistan batting and Brad Evans defended ten runs off the last over to secure a massive upset.
Low point
It’s tough being always eclipsed by South Africa, but imagine when even Namibia overshadow you? In May, Zimbabwe lost a T20I series to their lower-profile neighbours, but they did make up for it by qualifying for the Super 12 at the T20 World Cup when Namibia didn’t.
Results
UAE
by Peter Della Penna
Having not played in a World Cup of any kind since 2015, UAE made a spectacular splash in 2022. Not only did they qualify for the men’s T20 World Cup by winning the qualifying event in Oman in February – a performance that included a pair of victories over Ireland in both the group stage and the final – they also managed to spring a surprise upset of Namibia to end the group stage of the T20 World Cup itself, a result that denied Namibia what would have been their second straight trip to the Super 12s.
Having not played in a World Cup of any kind since 2015, UAE made a spectacular splash in 2022. Not only did they qualify for the men’s T20 World Cup by winning the qualifying event in Oman in February – a performance that included a pair of victories over Ireland in both the group stage and the final – they also managed to spring a surprise upset of Namibia to end the group stage of the T20 World Cup itself, a result that denied Namibia what would have been their second straight trip to the Super 12s.
In ODIs, the year started off in positive fashion for UAE before tailing off significantly. The loss of form was not without consequences. After the team went winless on their ODI tour of Scotland, Ahmed Raza was sacked as captain and replaced with CP Rizwan. Initially the move was announced as a change for T20Is only, but Rizwan continued to lead UAE in ODIs in their next series, against Nepal, as well. That apart, long-time allrounder Rohan Mustafa was shockingly left out of the T20 World Cup squad despite having been one of UAE’s better-performing players in the Qualifier.
High point
Fighting off the cold in Hobart, and a talented opponent in Namibia, to win a match at the men’s T20 World Cup.
Low point
Very nearly blowing a chance to reach the T20 World Cup in the first place with a two-run loss to Bahrain to end the group stage of the men’s qualifier in Oman.
Very nearly blowing a chance to reach the T20 World Cup in the first place with a two-run loss to Bahrain to end the group stage of the men’s qualifier in Oman.
Results
Oman
by Peter Della Penna
After a spate of successes under the leadership of head coach Duleep Mendis, Omanwere underwhelming in 2022. Less than four months after being co-hosts of the 2021 Men’s T20 World Cup with the UAE, they could not secure a berth for the next edition of the tournament, despite hosting the qualifier. A loss to Nepal in round-robin play meant they finished as runners-up in Group B, pitting them against Group A leader Ireland in a crossover semi-final that wound up being fairly one-sided.
After a spate of successes under the leadership of head coach Duleep Mendis, Omanwere underwhelming in 2022. Less than four months after being co-hosts of the 2021 Men’s T20 World Cup with the UAE, they could not secure a berth for the next edition of the tournament, despite hosting the qualifier. A loss to Nepal in round-robin play meant they finished as runners-up in Group B, pitting them against Group A leader Ireland in a crossover semi-final that wound up being fairly one-sided.
In ODIs, they became the first team to wrap up the full slate of 36 matches in Cricket World Cup League Two, ending with two wins out of four against USA and Nepal in Texas to take 44 points from 36 matches. Though they will not finish as winners of the seven-team competition, their spot in the top three is nearly assured, which will put them into the ten-team ICC World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe in 2023. It will be their first appearance in the 50-over World Cup Qualifier since 2009, bringing them full circle from the depths of World Cricket League Division Five in 2016.
Low point
A clumsy chase against Ireland that saw Oman go from 68 for 2 at the halfway points chasing a target of 166 to 109 all out in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup Qualifier.
Results
Scotland
Earlier in the summer, long-time men’s captain Kyle Coetzer stepped down from the national team captaincy and retired from T20Is. New captain Richie Berrington led his charges to a famous win over West Indies to start their T20 World Cup campaign in Hobart, but they were unable to sustain that momentum and were beaten by Ireland and Zimbabwe in successive matches to fall short of the Super 12s. Scotland’s ODI form, however, was mighty impressive and they ended the year in first place in the seven-team CWC ODI League Two competition.
As for the women, they could not maintain the progress made in 2021, when they defeated Ireland to be champions of the Europe Regional T20 World Cup Qualifier. Two losses in Edinburgh in early September to Ireland were followed by another in a must-win match at the T20 World Cup Qualifier in the UAE, ending Scotland’s dreams of advancing to the Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa. However, the junior women were able to defeat Netherlands to secure a berth in the inaugural Women’s U-19 World Cup.
High point
Not just beating West Indies, but the manner in which they did it. A thumping 42-run win highlighted by Mark Watt’s trio of wickets off deliveries bowled from 25 yards away.
Low point
Calum MacLeod abruptly announcing his retirement at age 32, following the end of the T20 World Cup after a summer in which he was in blistering form with the bat.
Calum MacLeod abruptly announcing his retirement at age 32, following the end of the T20 World Cup after a summer in which he was in blistering form with the bat.
Results
