Highlights of 2018 :- Ups and Downs

"2018", a year full of many ups & downs. We have witnessed a lot of controversies, sign-offs, records and much more. If we look apart from ups and downs, the biggest positive got from this year is another year of some exceptional cricket.

So here at the end of this mixed year, here we are going to reminisce few of those memories.

1. New Entrants in Test Cricket

Afghanistan - India historic test 2018

Here we are talking about Ireland and Afghanistan. After a notable limited-over cricket, both these teams made their debut in the longest form of this sport. Ireland & Afghanistan made their test debut in May and June against Pakistan and India respectively. 

Their debut tests were a non-memorable one as they shown them their place in test cricket by two of very experienced test cricketing nations. Ireland showed some fight and determination there while Afghanistan proved a lot of time in the shorter format that, Why they had been given test status? They can take these positives ahead in the fresh year. 

ICC's new future tour programme confirms that both these nations are going to play 12 5-day games between 2019-2021 even after not being a part of World Test Championship. This will show their temperament and their skill-set to the world. Hope they will pass it with flying colours.

2. England's & New-Zealand's Masterclass

New Zealand's historic win against Pakistan 2018

Who says, "England and New-Zealand are not that superior teams when it comes to slow and dusty tracks."? This year was theirs. Both these teams broke this myth and showed everyone that they know how to tackle the spin and how to spin the ball. 

England's complete dominance in test series against Sri Lanka resulted in a scoreline of 3-0 in their favour. They also won against India in the home series by 4-1. The most important thing is that they entered in 2018 with some humiliating result in the longest format of the game, courtesy Ashes test loss and New Zealand's tour. 

Many heroes in the face of Sam Curran, Jack Leach, Ben Foakes and a modified 'Jos Buttler' stepped up and contributed in making this year special. Englishmen are going to start 2019 in decent shape.

Also Read:- How Jos Buttler Transformed himself?

New Zealand, another test playing nation who created history after 49 years of shrivelled path against Pakistan away. Black Caps are always known for their good cricket in sub-continent conditions but results mostly betrayed them. With luck by their side, they started the series in a shaky manner and ended it up with an exceptional show of test cricket. 

Black Caps never attract superfluous attention, won six of their last seven series. With form and captain like Kane Williamson by their side, it will be really fun as the Test Championship comes by next year.

3. Good Bye Cricket

AB de Villiers announces retirement from international cricket 2018

Every year many cricketers hang up their boots and say goodbye to this beautiful sport. 2018 was full of "retirements". AB de Villiers, Morne Morkel, Dwayne Bravo, Gautam Gambhir, Rangana Herath, RP Singh and many others are there in the list.

Among them, ABD's retirement was the most unlikely one. As the 2019 world cup was less than a year away. After 14 years of outstanding career, he said, "I'd made a big decision today. I have had my turn and to be honest, I am tired. It's about running out of gas and feeling that it is the right time to move on..." and called up his retirement.

Another big name in the list is of all time great English opener, Alaister Cook. He was going through the leanest phase of his career, and the retirement was expected too. He scored 71 and 147 in his farewell test and finished as the fifth-most successful test cricketer in terms of runs scored.

With a lot of retirements, 2018 might not have been a year for many cricketing fans. World cup year always is known for retirements, and that 2019 will.

4. Ball Tempering Saga

Steven Smith - Australia Captain

Now here the biggest controversy of 2018, "Sandpaper Gate Scandal". Australian captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were involved in a ball-tampering scandal during the Cape Town Test against South Africa held in March 2018

Australian Batsman Bancroft was caught on camera apparently working on the ball with wrong material in his hand. Australian captain after got caught on the cameras, accepted that it was something planned by team's on-field leadership group. After this Darren Lehmann stepped down as coach, Smith and Warner received bans for a year and Bancroft got a ban of 9 months from international cricket.

This whole incident stunned Cricket Australia on and off the field. These lengthy bans lead to the downfall in Australian Cricket. In white-ball Cricket, there were whitewashes against Pakistan and England. They lost test series against Pakistan too and are going through the weakest phase in Australian Cricket. Wish this new year will bring that Australian legacy and brand of cricket back again.

This was not the only instance of ball tempering this year. Sri-Lankan captain Dinesh Chandimal was also found guilty of the ball tempering in June, and also faced a one-test ban by ICC.

Comment your best cricketing highlight of 2018 and why it is your's favourite one?