Matches (13)
Super Smash (1)
New Zealand in India (1)
AFG vs WI (1)
Men's Under-19 World Cup (3)
WPL (1)
SA20 (2)
BPL (2)
Vijay Hazare Trophy (1)
BBL (1)
2012 in photos

West Indies spread the joy in a year of goodbyes

Michael Clarke set the tone for his brilliant year with 329 not out against India in the New Year's Test in Sydney. Not only did he rescue his side from 37 for 3, he made sure they had enough time to win the match by declaring when he was six runs away from passing Don Bradman and Mark Taylor's Australian best of 334.
Michael Clarke set the tone for his brilliant year with 329 not out against India in the New Year's Test in Sydney. Not only did he rescue his side from 37 for 3, he made sure they had enough time to win the match by declaring when he was six runs away from passing Don Bradman and Mark Taylor's Australian best of 334.•Getty Images
Saeed Ajmal and Pakistan got their year off to a fine start, annihilating the then No. 1 Test team, England, in the UAE. Ajmal took 24 wickets in the three-Test series at 14.70, and Pakistan completed a whitewash. England got to 200 only twice in six innings. A target of 145 proved beyond them in the second Test in Abu Dhabi, where they were routed for 72 - Abdur Rehman took six second-innings wickets in ten overs.
Saeed Ajmal and Pakistan got their year off to a fine start, annihilating the then No. 1 Test team, England, in the UAE. Ajmal took 24 wickets in the three-Test series at 14.70, and Pakistan completed a whitewash. England got to 200 only twice in six innings. A target of 145 proved beyond them in the second Test in Abu Dhabi, where they were routed for 72 - Abdur Rehman took six second-innings wickets in ten overs.•Getty Images
One of the most awaited comebacks in Indian cricket was complete when Yuvraj Singh made it to the squad for the World Twenty20 after being successfully treated for a rare germ-cell cancer. Here, in April, at an IPL game in Pune, he makes his first appearance on a cricket field after coming home from treatment in the USA.
One of the most awaited comebacks in Indian cricket was complete when Yuvraj Singh made it to the squad for the World Twenty20 after being successfully treated for a rare germ-cell cancer. Here, in April, at an IPL game in Pune, he makes his first appearance on a cricket field after coming home from treatment in the USA.•AFP
West Indies lost batsman Runako Morton, 33, in March, when his car crashed into a utility pole. Here the West Indies and New Zealand teams observe a minute's silence in his honour. In June, Tom Maynard, the Surrey and England Lions batsman, <a href="/ci/content/image/569004.html" target="_blank">died aged 23</a> when he was electrocuted before being hit by a London Underground train.
West Indies lost batsman Runako Morton, 33, in March, when his car crashed into a utility pole. Here the West Indies and New Zealand teams observe a minute's silence in his honour. In June, Tom Maynard, the Surrey and England Lions batsman, died aged 23 when he was electrocuted before being hit by a London Underground train.•DigicelCricket.com
Former Zimbabwe captain Tatenda Taibu sprang a surprise when he announced his retirement, aged only 29. One of Zimbabwe's most feisty players, he had played 28 Tests and 150 ODIs for his country when he quit, saying he wanted to focus on working for the church. A spate of goodbyes across the cricket world was to follow.
Former Zimbabwe captain Tatenda Taibu sprang a surprise when he announced his retirement, aged only 29. One of Zimbabwe's most feisty players, he had played 28 Tests and 150 ODIs for his country when he quit, saying he wanted to focus on working for the church. A spate of goodbyes across the cricket world was to follow.•Getty Images
India's Test line-up was close to unrecognisable when they took the field against New Zealand in Hyderabad in August, with their middle-order rocks gone. Rahul Dravid had retired earlier in the year and VVS Laxman left a few days before what could have been a Test swansong at his home ground, with 8781 runs at 45.97 from 134 Tests to his name.
India's Test line-up was close to unrecognisable when they took the field against New Zealand in Hyderabad in August, with their middle-order rocks gone. Rahul Dravid had retired earlier in the year and VVS Laxman left a few days before what could have been a Test swansong at his home ground, with 8781 runs at 45.97 from 134 Tests to his name.•Hindustan Times
The series victory also meant Graeme Smith completed a curious hat-trick: with Andrew Strauss retiring after the series, three England captains in a row had stepped down in strife following a visit by Smith's team. Nasser Hussain and Michael Vaughan were the others. Strauss retired with 7037 runs in exactly 100 Tests.
The series victory also meant Graeme Smith completed a curious hat-trick: with Andrew Strauss retiring after the series, three England captains in a row had stepped down in strife following a visit by Smith's team. Nasser Hussain and Michael Vaughan were the others. Strauss retired with 7037 runs in exactly 100 Tests.•Getty Images
On the same day, Australia won the Women's World Twenty20, beating England in a riveting final by four runs.
On the same day, Australia won the Women's World Twenty20, beating England in a riveting final by four runs.•Getty/ICC
Another big retirement. After Australia's 1-0 Test loss to South Africa at home, Ricky Ponting quit the international scene, finishing with 13,378 runs from 168 Tests. Add to that the small matter of two World Cup wins as captain and 13,704 one-day runs.
Another big retirement. After Australia's 1-0 Test loss to South Africa at home, Ricky Ponting quit the international scene, finishing with 13,378 runs from 168 Tests. Add to that the small matter of two World Cup wins as captain and 13,704 one-day runs.•Getty Images
After England had fallen to a nine-wicket defeat to India in the first Test, Kevin Pietersen (batting here in a practice game on the tour) helped script a turnaround with a sublime 186 in Mumbai. And to think he might not have made the tour at all, after a stand-off with his team-mates and the ECB that lasted over two months and resulted in him missing the World Twenty20.
After England had fallen to a nine-wicket defeat to India in the first Test, Kevin Pietersen (batting here in a practice game on the tour) helped script a turnaround with a sublime 186 in Mumbai. And to think he might not have made the tour at all, after a stand-off with his team-mates and the ECB that lasted over two months and resulted in him missing the World Twenty20.•Getty Images
Arguably the best one-day batsman ever called time on his 50-overs career. The No. 10 Tendulkar India jersey won't be spotted on a cricket field anymore: the Master Blaster announced his retirement from one-day cricket on December 23. He finished with a record 18,426 runs (almost 5000 ahead of the second-best aggregate) from 463 games, with 49 centuries including the first double-century in the format.
Arguably the best one-day batsman ever called time on his 50-overs career. The No. 10 Tendulkar India jersey won't be spotted on a cricket field anymore: the Master Blaster announced his retirement from one-day cricket on December 23. He finished with a record 18,426 runs (almost 5000 ahead of the second-best aggregate) from 463 games, with 49 centuries including the first double-century in the format.•AFP
Rahul Dravid said goodbye following India's disastrous tour of Australia. His final series might not have been one to remember - he was bowled in six of eight innings, with just one half-century - but that made his career no less special. India's best-ever No. 3 finished with 13,288 runs from 164 Tests at 52.31 and a reputation as one of cricket's finest gentlemen.
Rahul Dravid said goodbye following India's disastrous tour of Australia. His final series might not have been one to remember - he was bowled in six of eight innings, with just one half-century - but that made his career no less special. India's best-ever No. 3 finished with 13,288 runs from 164 Tests at 52.31 and a reputation as one of cricket's finest gentlemen.•Getty Images
A frustrating, year-long wait ended for Sachin Tendulkar and his fans when he scored a hundred against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup in March, to become the first batsman to register a century of international centuries. It was also his first ODI hundred against Bangladesh, completing his set of tons against every Full Member country in both Tests and ODIs.
A frustrating, year-long wait ended for Sachin Tendulkar and his fans when he scored a hundred against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup in March, to become the first batsman to register a century of international centuries. It was also his first ODI hundred against Bangladesh, completing his set of tons against every Full Member country in both Tests and ODIs.•AFP
On getting his Test hundred at Edgbaston, West Indies keeper Denesh Ramdin had a message for Viv Richards, as a retort to Richards' scathing assessment of his deteriorating form. Ramdin later said it was an "emotional" response and he might have gone overboard, but he was still fined.
On getting his Test hundred at Edgbaston, West Indies keeper Denesh Ramdin had a message for Viv Richards, as a retort to Richards' scathing assessment of his deteriorating form. Ramdin later said it was an "emotional" response and he might have gone overboard, but he was still fined.•Getty Images
MS Dhoni, Ivory Coast and former Chelsea footballer Didier Drogba, and former India football captain Baichung Bhutia had a go at the beautiful game in Delhi.
MS Dhoni, Ivory Coast and former Chelsea footballer Didier Drogba, and former India football captain Baichung Bhutia had a go at the beautiful game in Delhi.•AFP
The moment that ended one of the most prolific wicketkeeping careers in history. Mark Boucher was struck in the eye during a tour game against Somerset when a googly from Imran Tahir hit the stumps and a dislodged bail struck him in the left eye. He was diagnosed with a lacerated eyeball and announced his retirement a day later.
The moment that ended one of the most prolific wicketkeeping careers in history. Mark Boucher was struck in the eye during a tour game against Somerset when a googly from Imran Tahir hit the stumps and a dislodged bail struck him in the left eye. He was diagnosed with a lacerated eyeball and announced his retirement a day later. •Getty Images
At the Under-19 World Cup in Queensland, India emerged victorious, beating hosts Australia in the final. India's captain, Unmukt Chand, and keeper Smit Patel were the heroes of the chase, putting on an unbroken 130-run partnership to steady a wobbling India and take them home with six wickets to spare.
At the Under-19 World Cup in Queensland, India emerged victorious, beating hosts Australia in the final. India's captain, Unmukt Chand, and keeper Smit Patel were the heroes of the chase, putting on an unbroken 130-run partnership to steady a wobbling India and take them home with six wickets to spare.•ICC/Getty
Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara had his hands full after the ICC Awards, where he won the Cricketer of the Year and Test Player of the Year awards for 2011-12, as well as the People's Choice prize.
Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara had his hands full after the ICC Awards, where he won the Cricketer of the Year and Test Player of the Year awards for 2011-12, as well as the People's Choice prize.•AFP
The Sydney Sixers came up trumps in the Champions League this year, crushing South Africa's Lions by ten wickets in the final.
The Sydney Sixers came up trumps in the Champions League this year, crushing South Africa's Lions by ten wickets in the final. •Getty Images
With his run on television show <i>Strictly Come Dancing</i>, former England captain Michael Vaughan made a name for himself on the dance floor. And Sanath Jayasuriya <a href="/ci/content/image/567738.html" target="_blank">shook a leg</a> on Indian television this year as well.
With his run on television show Strictly Come Dancing, former England captain Michael Vaughan made a name for himself on the dance floor. And Sanath Jayasuriya shook a leg on Indian television this year as well.•Getty Images
Without their lynchpin Shakib Al Hasan, who was out due to injury, and against a team that just two months previously had won the World Twenty20, Bangladesh pulled off a 3-2 ODI series victory. The win, captain Mushfiqur Rahim said, was the biggest in Bangladesh's history.
Without their lynchpin Shakib Al Hasan, who was out due to injury, and against a team that just two months previously had won the World Twenty20, Bangladesh pulled off a 3-2 ODI series victory. The win, captain Mushfiqur Rahim said, was the biggest in Bangladesh's history.•AFP
On Christmas day, a landmark India-Pakistan series kicked off with a Twenty20 in Bangalore. The previous one-on-one series between the neighbours was five years earlier, in late 2007, with bilateral ties hitting a roadblock following the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. In Bangalore, Mohammad Hafeez's sensible half-century helped Pakistan to a five-wicket win in a seesawing, low-scoring encounter.
On Christmas day, a landmark India-Pakistan series kicked off with a Twenty20 in Bangalore. The previous one-on-one series between the neighbours was five years earlier, in late 2007, with bilateral ties hitting a roadblock following the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. In Bangalore, Mohammad Hafeez's sensible half-century helped Pakistan to a five-wicket win in a seesawing, low-scoring encounter.•BCCI
A milestone in Bangladesh's ODI history when, in the Asia Cup, at home, they chased down 290 against India, and then came out on top against Sri Lanka in a must-win game. In the final they went down by the slimmest of margins to Pakistan, losing by two runs.
A milestone in Bangladesh's ODI history when, in the Asia Cup, at home, they chased down 290 against India, and then came out on top against Sri Lanka in a must-win game. In the final they went down by the slimmest of margins to Pakistan, losing by two runs.•AFP
After a failed attempt to showcase top-flight cricket in the USA in early 2010, cricket returned to Lauderhill, Florida, with West Indies taking on New Zealand in two T20s. This time round, runs flowed, the crowds came in and West Indies won 2-0.
After a failed attempt to showcase top-flight cricket in the USA in early 2010, cricket returned to Lauderhill, Florida, with West Indies taking on New Zealand in two T20s. This time round, runs flowed, the crowds came in and West Indies won 2-0.•AFP
The Olympics came to London this year, and of course cricket made its little appearances - like when Paul Collingwood air-batted with the Olympic torch in Durham.
The Olympics came to London this year, and of course cricket made its little appearances - like when Paul Collingwood air-batted with the Olympic torch in Durham.•Getty Images
Brett Lee, one of the fastest, most athletic bowlers in cricket, had retired from Tests in 2010; now he walked away from the other international formats, finishing level with Glenn McGrath as the leading wicket-taker for Australia in ODIs.
Brett Lee, one of the fastest, most athletic bowlers in cricket, had retired from Tests in 2010; now he walked away from the other international formats, finishing level with Glenn McGrath as the leading wicket-taker for Australia in ODIs.•Getty Images
A year after Andrew Strauss' England wrested the ICC Test mace from India, Graeme Smith's South Africa took it off them. South Africa beat England in England 2-0, to win what was possibly the most-anticipated Test series of the year.
A year after Andrew Strauss' England wrested the ICC Test mace from India, Graeme Smith's South Africa took it off them. South Africa beat England in England 2-0, to win what was possibly the most-anticipated Test series of the year.•PA Photos
When they beat Sri Lanka in the final of the World Twenty20, West Indies won a global title for the first time since the 1979 World Cup. Not many would have backed West Indies when they were 32 for 2 after the first ten overs of the game, but led by a Marlon Samuels blitz, they prevailed. The occasion called for a party, and party they did, getting things rolling with the "Gangnam Style" horse dance.
When they beat Sri Lanka in the final of the World Twenty20, West Indies won a global title for the first time since the 1979 World Cup. Not many would have backed West Indies when they were 32 for 2 after the first ten overs of the game, but led by a Marlon Samuels blitz, they prevailed. The occasion called for a party, and party they did, getting things rolling with the "Gangnam Style" horse dance.•Ajay Aggarwal/Getty Images
Hashim Amla had a prolific year for South Africa, with 1064 runs at 70.93. He played a pivotal role in his team's wins in the two biggest Test series of the year - against England and Australia - leading on the run charts in both. His crowning moment was the unbeaten triple-hundred against England at The Oval that helped South Africa to an innings win.
Hashim Amla had a prolific year for South Africa, with 1064 runs at 70.93. He played a pivotal role in his team's wins in the two biggest Test series of the year - against England and Australia - leading on the run charts in both. His crowning moment was the unbeaten triple-hundred against England at The Oval that helped South Africa to an innings win. •Getty Images
Alastair Cook marked his first Test series as full-time England captain with three hundreds in four Tests (that took his tally to five hundreds in six games as captain). With him leading from the front, England went from a poor beginning to a historic 2-1 victory - it was their first Test series victory in India in 28 years, and India's first Test series loss at home in eight.
Alastair Cook marked his first Test series as full-time England captain with three hundreds in four Tests (that took his tally to five hundreds in six games as captain). With him leading from the front, England went from a poor beginning to a historic 2-1 victory - it was their first Test series victory in India in 28 years, and India's first Test series loss at home in eight.•BCCI
Ross Taylor put in one of the performances of his career to lead New Zealand to a series-levelling 167-run win against Sri Lanka in the Colombo Test. Taylor and Kane Williamson added 262 - the second-highest stand for any visiting team in Sri Lanka - before a spirited, young pace attack did the rest. Sadly for New Zealand, things did not look up after the win: Taylor stepped down as captain and made himself unavailable for the South Africa tour, as differences between him and coach Mike Hesson came to the fore.
Ross Taylor put in one of the performances of his career to lead New Zealand to a series-levelling 167-run win against Sri Lanka in the Colombo Test. Taylor and Kane Williamson added 262 - the second-highest stand for any visiting team in Sri Lanka - before a spirited, young pace attack did the rest. Sadly for New Zealand, things did not look up after the win: Taylor stepped down as captain and made himself unavailable for the South Africa tour, as differences between him and coach Mike Hesson came to the fore. •Associated Press