It was bit of a confusing year for England. As is their wont, they were involved in the most number of Tests during the year. 17 of them with wins and defeats almost shared. Some of those losses were thumping enough to consider changes to the personnel, whereas there were some memorable wins too. The high of 2022-2023, when England reeled off wins after wins, on the back of Bazball, 2024 wasn’t that great a year for England. Nevertheless, it was a year that could neither be defined as excellent nor be defined as threadbare. There were successes and there were failures in equal measure. The white-ball team, a format that England redefined not long ago, suffered a lot during the year with several reversals. How was 2024 for England?
The year started off with great expectations on England. Afterall, about a year ago, they thumped Pakistan in Pakistan 3-0. It was an unprecedented result from an England side that have traditionally struggled against Pakistan. More than the win, the manner of the victories were significant. In every Test, England notched up mountain full of runs and at a very quick rate. Pakistan were neither able to stop the flow or runs nor were they able to pick up wickets regularly. The comprehensive manner of those wins, increased the confidence of the England cricketers but they were still wary of touring India. The innumerable number of reverses in India from 1990s, has sort of dent their confidence seriously that an Indian tour is considered among the toughest alongwith a tour of Australia.
Low of the season
True to what they feared, they were annihilated in 4 Tests. In the final innings, none of the players even wanted to be in India and they would rather go back to England. Such was the manner of their surrender in the final innings. Whatever that could go wrong, went wrong. The lack of effective spinners was dearly felt. England knew that spin will play a major part in the series. Yet, they chose to bring along cricketers who hardly have played any decent amount of cricket. Shoaib Bashir who may have some potential was among those who were expected to contain the Indian batsmen. His first class experience is not that different from his international experience. On what basis did Stokes picked him is beyond anyone’s wildest dream, afterall, his first class average is close to 50.
He is 21 and has time and age on his side. He can learn and he can improve but that must be at the County level and not at the international level.
Yes, England somehow managed to win the first Test on the back of a freakish Pope hundred. India were clueless in that game against a sweeping and reverse-sweeping Pope. It reminded all of us who bore witness to the sad day in the 1987 World Cup semi-final where Gooch swept the Indian spinners out of the tournament.
Nonetheless, that innings proved to be a flash in the pan. India adjusted themselves and ran over England in the remaining with the sole exception of the 3rd Test where an excellent innings from the debutant, Dhruv Jurel, stood between England and a win.
England’s inability to comprehend slow and turning pitches
Careers completed
McCullum did the right thing to talk to Anderson and make him announce his retirement. It was wrong on the part of Anderson to continue playing when everyone knows that he is not the same bowler. He might still pick up wickets on those England pitches if the overhead conditions complement his bowling but later this year in Australia, he would have been found wanting in all aspects regarding bowling. England would have been forced to drop Anderson in Australia. He avoided that ignominy.
The success of Bethell and Smith denotes that the days of Bairstow and possibly Foakes is also finished. It is unfortunate that Foakes has been judged on his ability to score runs rather than his brilliant keeping but that is how the modern day game is. Pure wicket-keepers are a thing of the past.
High of the season
Some may point to the win against India against all-odds but I think the series win in New Zealand was the high of the season. Sure England were expected to win but they absolutely streamrolled New Zealand into submission. England walked in like a Gladiator and walked out of it a clear winner. The last Test defeat was just an aberration.
Best performer of the season
Undoubtedly, it is Joe Root. He has been in such a freakish form over the last 4 years that he break records easily. He is certainly inline to break Tendulkar’s all-time record of the highest runs. About 3000 runs to go. Similar couple of years, he will get there rather sooner than later. Root has definitely let his fellow the so called Fab-4 by the wayside. In 4 years, he has scored 19 hundreds, the most by any batsman. This is simply unheard of. However, his lack of runs in some decisive games, against Pakistan and New Zealand will rankle him.
Ben Duckett is another who though not in the same sphere of Root, had a fabulous year. He became the first England opener since Alastair Cook in 2016, to score more than 1000 runs in a calendar year. In the absence of Bairstow, Duckett has taken the torch of Bazball further.
Poor performer of the season
Zak Crawley. He has been persisted with for far too long. Just like Shubman Gill, he has mostly flattered to deceive. Crawley has not reached 30 in the last 10 innings. That is an alarming statistic. He has the support of McCullum but how long will that continue? Crawley needs to gather himself and begin to score runs. India will be a good opportunity if he could survive Bumrah.
Wrapping up 2024 for England
2024 is done. 2025 has got a lot instore for England. Two vital series with the one in Australia being much more important for every English. With the turmoil facing India, England must prevail over India quite easily.
