Cricket in 2019: How the World Cup, Ashes and more spread joy beyond the game’s usual enclaves

Cricket is guilty of romanticising the past and fearing the future. Both traits are very English, and when applied to one of the most English sports, the multiplying factor can be unbearable, as it was in February of this year out in the Caribbean.

The Test team had just lost to West Indies having gone in expecting something a walkover. Then the one-day side, leaders in their field, were held 2-2.

It meant England had won just seven Test series since the start of 2015 – a year relevant for the shift in priorities by the ECB towards making a success of ODI cricket after years (decades?) of dire performances. Yet here they were, unable to best a side picked by tombola as the WICB decided upon a last-minute line change ahead of the 2019 World Cup.

The rough with the smooth for England had been for red-ball results to take a hit for white-ball gain. But suddenly the four-year project built on steadfast confidence was letting doubt seep in on the home straight. As the traditionalists yearned for the start of the decade when England were a fit-for-purpose, trailblazing Test team, fans who had bought into the new way of thinking were wondering if the upcoming home World Cup would end like all the others – in comical embarrassment.

But as the clock ticks closer to 2020 and those wedded to the sport look back on the year that was, perhaps the takeaway from 2019 was appreciating the joy of the here and now.

The World Cup was a wild ride right the way to the final. The Ashes, a disappointing 2-2 draw, did at least throw up a match of a lifetime.

Beers in the air at Jos Buttler’s run-out of Martin Guptill at Lord’s and fan parks across the country was followed by the unhinged joy of Ben Stokes single-handedly besting Australia with a 135 not out at Headingley. Both headline moments that commanded the attention of those outside of the game. Dragging them in and leaving them all the better for discovering just how this pastime can grab your soul by surprise.

New fans were made, lapsed ones re-engaged and, perhaps more importantly, cricket spread beyond its usual enclaves.

In one particular nook between the World Cup and the Ashes was Ireland’s first official Test against England, albeit a four-day one. The occasion was billed as a celebration, with the great and good of Irish cricket in attendance at Lord’s to be a part of history. Each of them, men and women, helping reach this moment. But soon it all went a bit Red Wedding.

The visitors skittled England out for 58 and then established a first-innings lead of 149, all in one day. But thanks to soon-to-be cult hero Jack Leach, that was as good as it got. An absurd 92 from the nightwatchman set Ireland a target of 182 and they fell 148 short. Even beyond this match, things have not gone well for Irish cricket

Due to stipulations enforced by the ECB regarding their Test status, Irish crickets could no longer participate in the County Championship as locals beyond the end of the season. Players had to make a choice – whether to turn their back on their counties or their countries. To decide which home was really home.

Paul Stirling ended his 10-year stay with Middlesex, who at least had the fortune of seeing Tim Murtagh bid international cricket farewell. A further blow came when Tests against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka originally scheduled for 2020 were cancelled for monetary reasons.

Ireland’s situation is an indication that getting a spot on the top table does not mean an equal share. Even as Pakistan welcome cricket back home for the first time in over a decade, they do so knowing it will mean nothing if cricket’s powerhouses do not come over. Beyond the political issues surrounding any arrangement with India, England and Australia will take some convincing.

The imbalance is just as evident domestically, especially as The Hundred became a more visible presence ahead of its introduction in 2020.

The 10 host venues worked away in the background to bring together campaigns, colours and coaches. Even further in the shadows were agents and affiliates trying to strike deals for clients. The Draft, for most, was confirmation of fruitful discussions. Aboveboard, of course, but with enough whisper among the playing fraternity to promote open resentfulness from those who missed out on the huge sums thrown around.

Outside, county cricket moved on at its usual pace with “the other eight” pushing harder to ensure the last 18-county, three-format campaign had their prints all over it.

Essex won the Championship and T20 Blast. Somerset took the Royal London Cup, ending a hoodoo of 10 runners-up finishes across various domestic competitions in 10 years. Gloucestershire and Northamptonshire shared celebrations on the last day of the season in the same changing room when their match was rained off to confirm their places in two of the three promotion spots from Division Two. For the last summer that traditional county cricket mattered as much, the have-nots had.

As far as individual performances, we were blessed with varying levels of greatness.

From an English perspective, Ben Stokes picked up the gongs for performance and personality. But Jofra Archer came in and thrilled as an exciting quick with both red and white. An addition to the case that we truly are in a golden era of modern fast bowling.

Steve Smith’s 774 runs in the men’s Ashes confirmed an ascension to multi-generational greatness. Up there second to Bradman, a spot he’s keeping warm for Marnus Labuschagne next year.

Ellyse Perry had a similarly profound effect on these shores: arriving a champion allrounder and leaving – Women’s Ashes under her arm – with confirmation that hers is a greatness that cannot be contained by the parameters of the women’s game. Perry’s most important feat beyond a calendar year of 783 runs and 28 wickets across all formats is sending a message to her contemporaries and young girls alike that the glass ceiling is only a guide.

There were less welcome tidings when another modern-day superstar, Shakib Al-Hasan, saw his legend tarnished after accepting three charges of breaching the ICC’s anti-corruption code. From 606 runs and 11 wickets in the World Cup to a two-year (one year suspended) ban in the space of two months. His error of failing to report approaches were depressingly basic for a player of his experience.

There were those who went out on their own terms. Two in particular, Marcus Trescothick and Sarah Taylor, calling time on distinguished careers as international cricketers and as fine advocates for mental health. And there were those who, tragically, didn’t. Cricket said reluctant farewells to many this year, including former England great Bob Willis and Scotland international Con de Lange who passed away after battles with cancer, at 70 and 38 respectively.

But among the excellence and mourning was one inspirational 40-year old Romanian who exemplified the joy and love this game can provide beyond its main outposts.

Pavel Florin began as a figure of online fun: a tank of a man whose frame was better suited to a day job as a bodyguard than his hobby as an off-spinner for Cluj Cricket Club. He was ridiculed for his action when went viral in July after his displays in the European Cricket League but made the switch to cult hero about 24 hours later.

He would later travel to England to watch the T20 Blast, was interviewed on Test Match Special Special during the tea break of a Lord’s Ashes Test, meet Brian Lara and, after over-coming visa issues, play grade cricket in Australia. Now, his infectious interviews and wicket-celebrations are the ones doing the rounds.

From an English perspective, it is easy to look back on 2019 and give thanks for some truly breathtaking memories that will pass down to generations who weren’t lucky enough to witness it. But to step outside the bubble is to remind yourselves of the ills that continue to inflict the game.

There remains a financial disparity at the highest level which leaves so many nations going cap in hand to so few, notably South Africa who seem to have more Test experience residing in the UK than in their Test squad.

The over-saturation of money-spinning franchise tournaments built on sand and riddled with corruption also suggests a false economy within the game close to a potentially devastating collapse. Even if a competition like The Hundred does make the sport more visible to a younger generation, it looks set to create a divide among the playing community that could potentially lead to industrial action.

2019 will be a year to reminisce about especially as the future is rife with uncertainty. This is perhaps why Florin could be regarded as the year’s most important story. Because the prejudices and imbalances that will remain prevalent are entirely down to the greed of administrators, not the participants.

The purity of Florin’s enthusiasm was an antidote to cricket’s capitalism and showed that the game in its most basic form can take hold of any soul, from any walk of life. Cricket at its rawest does not see colour, creed or status. As the sun sets on a dramatic 2019, it is important to remember that.