I’m Back! – A look back at my 2015 cricket predictions

I’m back!

Although I’m sure very few people noticed, and probably even less cared, I have had a near 7-month break from this blog now.

Having posted everyday for over 100 days, it was almost inevitable that I would feel the need to give it a rest for a bit.

Having had a pretty hectic year, it’s been difficult to find time for this blog, however, as the new year begins I am looking to post much more regularly once again.

Don’t expect anything once a day as before, but maybe every week or so might be feasible.

Anyway, hope you can still enjoy my ramblings!

 

Back on January 1^st I made 10 cricketing predictions for the year ahead.With just a single ODI left to be played in the international calendar this year, I though now is a good as time as any to see how my predictions faired.

My original predictions are here

1. Well, I was partly right here. The World Cup did captivate the cricket watching public and it certainly was a run fest. New Zealand performed well and Kane Williamson has grown into one of the best players on the planet, sitting at number one in the ICC batsman rankings. Although it was his Kiwi teammate Martin Guptill who took top honours at the world cup with the bat.

2. Again not a million miles away. Root may not have won the top award at the ICC event, he did more than enough to earn his place in the Test team of the year and has been the number one ranked batsmen in the world for parts of the year.

3. Spot on with this one, but I will concede I was perhaps the least bold of my predictions. Yorkshire always looked a safe bet to retain their LVCC crown and their depth of talent was showcased once again this summer as they romped to the title despite numerous England call-ups.

Yorkshire retained their LVCC Division One title with ease

4. The T20 Blast is certainly not dying. The ECB have released figures recently that state the number of people watching T20 cricket in England is rising year on year and finals day continues to sell out comfortably. However, it is the continuing success of the Big Bash as opposed to the IPL that may be winning over many fans to the franchise model. This one is sure to rumble on and on.

5. The Ashes was certainly a battle of two flawed sides, although perhaps for differing reasons. Australia often appeared passed it, and confused by their own selection policies. A battle between their own aging minds and their aching bodies. England were often fallible due to their inexperience and rawness. This led to a series where neither team ever looked like world-beaters. All save for that glorious morning at Trent Bridge.

6. Moeen is still a fans favourite that’s for sure. But SPOTY was out of his reach this year unfortunately. He will have to make do with handy lower order Ashes runs and a 7-wicket match winning performance at Durban for now. Of course, even if he has a remarkable year it’s no given he would have made the shortlist, as evidenced by the snubbing of Joe Root.

Moeen’s 7-wicket match at Durban finished off a good year for the Worcestershire all-rounder

7. I may have gotten this one a little wrong. In between the TV documentaries, another book, and interviews, Pietersen has been able to rediscover the form that made him one of the most feared strokemakers in the game. Runs in the West Indies, England, South Africa and Australia have all come Pietersen’s way this year.

8. Cook may have not made the 5 Ashes hundreds I predicted, but he has certainly won back the majority of the England supporters. A two-time Ashes winning captain and back to his indomitable best with the bat, Cook has never had it so good.

Alastair Cook made 1364 Test runs as he returned to form with the bat

9. This one didn’t turn as hoped at all. It was a pretty disappointing season down in Taunton. New signing Jim Allenby was not the player many expected him to be, and the senior one-day players failed to fire often enough to secure any silverware. With the new media centre and stand completing Taunton’s 10-year renovation, perhaps 2016 will be the year Somerset can get their hands back on some silverware.

10. Bit of an odd one this. Kohli has had a pretty quiet year really. His year as captain has been with little drama on the field, as India have continued their home dominance. 640 runs @54.05 is a good return, but for a player of his calibre is nothing to write home about. Kohli will need to start to make big runs once again id he is going to keep up with Williamson and Root.