The Top 50 Cricketing Moments of the Year (11-19)

19) The Pakistan Super League Gets off the ground

Let’s be honest. Who doesn’t love a great domestic T20 league? After years of on again off again planning, the PSL has finally begun. Take the most unpredictable cricketing nation and give them a Super League. What could possibly go wrong?

18) World Cup upsets

With the ICC looking to shrink the next World Cup from 14 teams to 10 due to too many lopsided games, it was rather unfortunate that the so called minnows found a way to upstage the big boys. It began with Bangladesh knocking off England and in the process, ensuring they couldn’t make the final 8. Ireland also beat the West Indies. Gotta love it

17) Eoin Morgan blackmailed by sex tape in Hobart

From earlier in the year, we have the story of a jaded boyfriend going through his girlfriends phone and finding raunchy messages to Eoin Morgan. This same bloke then decided to attempt to blackmail Morgan to not release them publicly. We just think it’s amazing that Eoin found anything in Tasmania worth hooking up with.

16) Australia v New Zealand World Cup Pool Game

Two undefeated teams and plenty of genius. After Australia was rolled cheaply, it looks like the Kiwis would romp home. Enter Mitchell Starc who took Australia to within one wicket of an unlikely victory. This was countered by the brilliant Kane Williamson who chose to hit Starc back over his head for six,  clinching the match for sheep shaggers. Low scoring. High drama.

15) Steve Smith

Over 1300 Test runs. An average for the year over 70. Three hundreds. Two fifties. Held the number 1 batsman in the world ranking for a significant period of time in a hot field. Superstar
14) Broad 8/15

With the Ashes on the line and England leading 2-1, anti hero Stuart Broad stepped up to the plate at Trent Bridge to destroy Australia.

8/15.

Australia bowled out for 60.

Nothing else needs to be said.

13) Yasir Shah

From a virtual unknown to the best leg spinner since Shane Warne. This Pakistani from the tribal North West Frontier Provence took 49 test wickets in 2015 at an average of 23. It helped him rise to the rank of number 2 in the ICC Test bowling rankings.

12) Chris Cairns trial

It must be a tough existence when the UK police charge you with perjury for lying in a defamation case about match fixing. New Zealander Chris Cairns flew to England to defend himself against testimony from Lou Vincent, Brendan McCullum, Ricky Ponting and others. Amazingly, despite the characters standing against him, Cairns walked away with a not guilty verdict.
11) McCullum v South Africa in the World Cup Semi Final

Perennial World Cup failures South Africa took on New Zealand, who entered the match undefeated.

Who ever lost would take home the “Chokers Cup”.

South Africa piled on 285 in a rain shortened 45 over innings.

Enter McCullum. His 59 off only 26 balls put the Kiwis in to the drivers seat, allowing ex Saffa Grant Elliott and Corey Anderson to guide the Black Caps home with two overs to spare and into their first ever World Cup Final.

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The Top 50 Cricketing Moments of the Year (1-10)Follow @denniscricket_