2014- The Sequel: England in 2015.

[Arthur Crabtree]

England's best innings of the year.

3 & 2. Joe Root, 130 at Trent Bridge, 134 at Sophia Gardens.

What I think Joe Root does most impressively is turn around a pressure situation, not by just by outlasting it, but by wresting the dagger around from his own throat and applying force to the vulnerabilities of the opposition. We saw that most emphatically early in the summer at Lord's against New Zealand, and again in these two key wins against Australia. It was the year when he became England's best batter, with great nerve and a remarkable variety of strokes. A tough nuggety survivor, but fused with the charismatic shot appeal of the missing Kevin Pietersen. He has 1233 runs for the year in a middle order that has otherwise struggled. Probably the best England bat since Michael Vaughan.

At Trent Bridge, he came to the crease at 34-2 after Australia were bowled out for 60 on a sporty track. He took them to 297-5 early on the second morning, his 130 coming in just four hours, and the Ashes pretty much regained in a day. Like the best players, he gave the impression of playing in different conditions from the others, serenely above the skirmish. His score in Cardiff was arguably even more impressive (albeit on a flatter pitch), and was typical of his ability to make an impression right at the start of the series. Australia went into the Ashes as big favourites, and the reputation of their pace bowlers could have been used to scare children off to bed. Root, as was typical, arrived at the crease with three wickets cheaply lost, for 43. He vanquished his own demons having been cursed in the 5-0 defeat to Mitch and the Aussies, to be dropped in Sydney in 2014 (though Sophia Gardens was very slow compared to the whitewash pitches). His transformative innings in Cardiff again lasted about four hours, as the game changed direction at haste. So, Ashes tracks were slow. Can he do it on a fast track, on a sunny day at the Wanderers? We'll soon find out.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Recent entries showing very much why you shouldn't sign legal documents after a night shift.

[Arthur Crabtree]

England's best bowling of the year.

3. Adil Rashid, 5-64 in Abu Dhabi.

Who saw this coming? England's first leg spinner since rationing (if we conveniently forget the brief career of Ian Salisbury) had a Warnesque introduction to Test cricket, taking 0-163 in a disastrous first innings which had the press mulling over if this was both his first and last cap. They wrote themselves into a corner. On the last day he lit a fire under a game that appeared to be heading for a tepid draw. Younis and Misbah knocked off England's slender lead and were 38 ahead, when they began to relax. Why not? And Rashid took his first Test wicket, donated by Younis with a loose drive into the covers. Sixty runs later, Pakistan were all out. They were untidy wickets, but Rashid had a five-fer (two to Moeen Ali) and England's spin attack had got England nearer to a win in UAE than they have ever been, seeking 99 to win. If England were denied by the light at the fade out, there was still a little bit of the Hollywood biopic in the Bradford leggie's redemption.

[Arthur Crabtree]

England's best bowling of the year.

2. James Anderson, 6-47 at Edgbaston.

It feels a little odd now that Anderson was periodically written off by a generally adoring UK press over the past couple of years. But in 2015, the claws of what felt like end of career ennui and lethargy released its grip from a previously careworn demeanour, and he looked a different bowler; consistent, and without the late series lulls that have been apparent in recent times. Was it the rest brought about by his being left out of the limited over side? Perhaps the relative freedom from being less under the influence of his Andre Nel style alter ego? Though he returned great stats in UAE, I thought England were rope-a-doped a little bit out there by a crafty Misbah. I much preferred the classic Anderson of Birmingham, all efficiency and sleek lines (and length) as he bowled Australia out for 136 (in 37 overs) in helpful conditions at Edgbaston. All were either lbw, bowled or caught behind, with only Rogers gaining any traction at all, and the traditional skills very much on show.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Pretty obvious where these are going.

[braveneutral]

Pretty obvious where these are going.

One of Ravi's turns in the BPL?

[Arthur Crabtree]

I toyed with a bit of sarcasm aimed at an England coach, but I've been told off a few times this year for that, and I'm trying to do better.

Ravi? I'm sure Major Strauss will tell us that the door isn't closed. He may later say that we've moved on, but right now, the door isn't closed.

[braveneutral]

Why did you get told off?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Sarcasm, mainly. Which is fine. I'm trying to tone it down.

[braveneutral]

Blame it on the excess of accessible alcohol given the time of year.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Control the controllables.

[braveneutral]

Sounds very cryptic.

[Arthur Crabtree]

You never know who is reading. I learned basic internet survival on the Pietersen threads.

[braveneutral]

Prudent to be wary.

[Arthur Crabtree]

I'm hoping to get tv work as someone who changed their ways because of posting on the internet.