2011 in pictures

Thirty-one from 2011

The year kicked off with England retaining the urn and revelling in their Ashes success. They finished the five-Test series against Australia on a high, winning the New Year's Test by an innings and 83 runs
The year kicked off with England retaining the urn and revelling in their Ashes success. They finished the five-Test series against Australia on a high, winning the New Year's Test by an innings and 83 runs•Getty Images
World Cup year. The excitement was at a fever pitch when the cricket's biggest event returned to the subcontinent in February. The tournament kicked off with much colour and unmistakable Bangladeshi zest in Mirpur
World Cup year. The excitement was at a fever pitch when the cricket's biggest event returned to the subcontinent in February. The tournament kicked off with much colour and unmistakable Bangladeshi zest in Mirpur•AFP
As expected, Mohali's PCA Stadium - with a seating capacity of around 30,000 - was not enough to accommodate everyone who wanted to be at the second semi-final. The fans took it upon themselves to find innovative ways to catch glimpses of the action
As expected, Mohali's PCA Stadium - with a seating capacity of around 30,000 - was not enough to accommodate everyone who wanted to be at the second semi-final. The fans took it upon themselves to find innovative ways to catch glimpses of the action•AFP
India's players had reiterated through the tournament that they wanted to win the cup as a tribute to Sachin Tendulkar. And so the man was raised head and shoulders above the rest, by his team-mates during their victory lap
India's players had reiterated through the tournament that they wanted to win the cup as a tribute to Sachin Tendulkar. And so the man was raised head and shoulders above the rest, by his team-mates during their victory lap•AFP
They kept Chris Gayle out of the team but they couldn't keep him out of the stadium. Gayle was not included in the side for West Indies' ODI series against India but turned up at Sabina Park to watch and cheer
They kept Chris Gayle out of the team but they couldn't keep him out of the stadium. Gayle was not included in the side for West Indies' ODI series against India but turned up at Sabina Park to watch and cheer•Associated Press
Stuart Broad stamped his authority on the Test series with bat and ball. The highlight was his hat-trick at Trent Bridge, which accounted for MS Dhoni, Harbhajan Singh and Praveen Kumar
Stuart Broad stamped his authority on the Test series with bat and ball. The highlight was his hat-trick at Trent Bridge, which accounted for MS Dhoni, Harbhajan Singh and Praveen Kumar•AFP
There was cause for dancing in the aisles and on the field when Zimbabwe returned to Test cricket with an impressive 130-run win against Bangladesh in Harare, after a self-imposed six-year exile. Chris Mpofu and Ray Price got the party started
There was cause for dancing in the aisles and on the field when Zimbabwe returned to Test cricket with an impressive 130-run win against Bangladesh in Harare, after a self-imposed six-year exile. Chris Mpofu and Ray Price got the party started•AFP
This was the best year in Test history for debutant bowlers. Bangladesh's Elias Sunny picked up a five-for in his maiden Test, and the feat was equalled by Australia's Nathan Lyon, Pat Cummins and James Pattinson, New Zealand's Doug Bracewell, India's R Ashwin, and South Africa's Vernon Philander and Marchant de Lange
This was the best year in Test history for debutant bowlers. Bangladesh's Elias Sunny picked up a five-for in his maiden Test, and the feat was equalled by Australia's Nathan Lyon, Pat Cummins and James Pattinson, New Zealand's Doug Bracewell, India's R Ashwin, and South Africa's Vernon Philander and Marchant de Lange•Associated Press
In yet another memorable Test for 2011 - and the second of the series - Australia's tail held their nerve to square the rubber with a two-wicket win in a record chase at the Wanderers
In yet another memorable Test for 2011 - and the second of the series - Australia's tail held their nerve to square the rubber with a two-wicket win in a record chase at the Wanderers•AFP
Bangladesh's women's side celebrated securing ODI status in a year when the men's team came under increasing criticism for their Test performances
Bangladesh's women's side celebrated securing ODI status in a year when the men's team came under increasing criticism for their Test performances•ICC/Mainoor Islam Manik
The heart-stopping Test action continued as New Zealand, bolstered by a triple-strike from Doug Bracewell that accounted for Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey, won a Test in Australia for the first time in 26 years. David Warner scored a maiden Test ton and added 34 with No. 11 Nathan Lyon, only for Australia to fall seven short
The heart-stopping Test action continued as New Zealand, bolstered by a triple-strike from Doug Bracewell that accounted for Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey, won a Test in Australia for the first time in 26 years. David Warner scored a maiden Test ton and added 34 with No. 11 Nathan Lyon, only for Australia to fall seven short•AFP
Who said the television commentators of today can't hold an audience's attention? Presenting the Channel 9 commentary team: Ian Healy, Mark Taylor, Mark Nicholas, James Brayshaw and Michael Slater
Who said the television commentators of today can't hold an audience's attention? Presenting the Channel 9 commentary team: Ian Healy, Mark Taylor, Mark Nicholas, James Brayshaw and Michael Slater•Scott Barbour/Getty Images
Ireland scripted the story of the tournament in the preliminary round, in Bangalore. England had lorded it over their neighbours for most of the game when pink-haired Kevin O'Brien arrived at the crease. He slammed a 50-ball century to help chase down 328 and give Ireland the unlikeliest of wins
Ireland scripted the story of the tournament in the preliminary round, in Bangalore. England had lorded it over their neighbours for most of the game when pink-haired Kevin O'Brien arrived at the crease. He slammed a 50-ball century to help chase down 328 and give Ireland the unlikeliest of wins•Getty Images
The match itself was a gripping contest, with India managing to defend 260 and set up a final clash with Sri Lanka
The match itself was a gripping contest, with India managing to defend 260 and set up a final clash with Sri Lanka•AFP
It was the beginning of a new era in Australian cricket when Michael Clarke took over as full-time captain from Ricky Ponting after the World Cup. Clarke began his stint on a positive note, with a century against Bangladesh
It was the beginning of a new era in Australian cricket when Michael Clarke took over as full-time captain from Ricky Ponting after the World Cup. Clarke began his stint on a positive note, with a century against Bangladesh•Associated Press
In the first in a long string of exciting Test finishes in 2011, England kept the pressure on Sri Lanka during a tense final session in Cardiff, going on to bowl them out for 82 in 24.4 overs to squeeze a win out of a match that had seemed destined for a draw ended
In the first in a long string of exciting Test finishes in 2011, England kept the pressure on Sri Lanka during a tense final session in Cardiff, going on to bowl them out for 82 in 24.4 overs to squeeze a win out of a match that had seemed destined for a draw ended•Getty Images
England finished with a crushing 4-0 victory, and Andrew Strauss' men took over the mantle of Test No. 1 team from a battered India
England finished with a crushing 4-0 victory, and Andrew Strauss' men took over the mantle of Test No. 1 team from a battered India•Getty Images
September brought another Twenty20 spectacle, the Champions League, where cricketing royalty rubbed shoulders with the elite of film and business once more. Mumbai Indians took home a booty of $2,500,000
September brought another Twenty20 spectacle, the Champions League, where cricketing royalty rubbed shoulders with the elite of film and business once more. Mumbai Indians took home a booty of $2,500,000•AFP
In a dark day for cricket, three Pakistan players and an agent were sentenced to prison for their involvement in spot-fixing during the 2010 tour of England. It was the first time cricketers were being jailed for their actions on the field of play
In a dark day for cricket, three Pakistan players and an agent were sentenced to prison for their involvement in spot-fixing during the 2010 tour of England. It was the first time cricketers were being jailed for their actions on the field of play•Getty Images
Shahid Afridi returned to the Pakistan set-up for the series against Sri Lanka in the UAE, withdrawing a five-month "conditional" retirement after a change in the team management and the PCB's leadership
Shahid Afridi returned to the Pakistan set-up for the series against Sri Lanka in the UAE, withdrawing a five-month "conditional" retirement after a change in the team management and the PCB's leadership•AFP
"Win or draw, win or draw" was the chant going around the field from West Indies, as India edged homewards in what proved to be yet another cracking Test finish. Darren Sammy's men did manage the draw, the second in Tests with the scores level - India finished nine down and one run short of their target of 243
"Win or draw, win or draw" was the chant going around the field from West Indies, as India edged homewards in what proved to be yet another cracking Test finish. Darren Sammy's men did manage the draw, the second in Tests with the scores level - India finished nine down and one run short of their target of 243•AFP
As the year wound down, another Twenty20 phenomenon rolled in - the Big Bash League. The league kicked off with Brad Haddin's "man-genta" clad Sydney Sixers beating the Brisbane Heat on December 16
As the year wound down, another Twenty20 phenomenon rolled in - the Big Bash League. The league kicked off with Brad Haddin's "man-genta" clad Sydney Sixers beating the Brisbane Heat on December 16•Getty Images
Come the semi-finals it was India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and New Zealand left standing. The first match pitched New Zealand against Sri Lanka, in Muttiah Muralitharan's last international at home. He struck with his final ball, and Sri Lanka were in their second-consecutive World Cup final
Come the semi-finals it was India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and New Zealand left standing. The first match pitched New Zealand against Sri Lanka, in Muttiah Muralitharan's last international at home. He struck with his final ball, and Sri Lanka were in their second-consecutive World Cup final•AFP
The final was not quite a humdinger, but it had a copybook ending for the home fans when MS Dhoni hit a six to win it
The final was not quite a humdinger, but it had a copybook ending for the home fans when MS Dhoni hit a six to win it•Getty Images
India, meanwhile, had little time to celebrate their World Cup success: the fourth season of the IPL began six days later and rolled by in a blur of cheerleaders, film stars and the occasional breathtaking piece of cricket - like this bit of fielding from Dwayne Bravo
India, meanwhile, had little time to celebrate their World Cup success: the fourth season of the IPL began six days later and rolled by in a blur of cheerleaders, film stars and the occasional breathtaking piece of cricket - like this bit of fielding from Dwayne Bravo•AFP
The most anticipated Test of the year - the 2000th in the game's history, and the 100th between India and England, at cricket's preeminent venue, Lord's. The contest did not live up to the hype, however, with England thrashing the visitors, setting the tone for the summer
The most anticipated Test of the year - the 2000th in the game's history, and the 100th between India and England, at cricket's preeminent venue, Lord's. The contest did not live up to the hype, however, with England thrashing the visitors, setting the tone for the summer•AFP
In August, South Africa's Norman Gordon, became the first Test cricketer to celebrate his 100th birthday
In August, South Africa's Norman Gordon, became the first Test cricketer to celebrate his 100th birthday•Getty Images
Ross Taylor was made to sweat in his first Test after taking over as full-time New Zealand captain from Daniel Vettori. Zimbabwe launched a spirited attack on a target of 366 in the one-off Test in Bulawayo, falling short by only 34 on a gripping final day
Ross Taylor was made to sweat in his first Test after taking over as full-time New Zealand captain from Daniel Vettori. Zimbabwe launched a spirited attack on a target of 366 in the one-off Test in Bulawayo, falling short by only 34 on a gripping final day•AFP
Australia "recovered" from 21 for 9 to 47 all out against South Africa in a manic day of Test cricket at Newlands. Parts of all four innings were witnessed in a single day for only the third time in Test history, and in what was the best bowling day in Test cricket since 1902 - 23 wickets fell
Australia "recovered" from 21 for 9 to 47 all out against South Africa in a manic day of Test cricket at Newlands. Parts of all four innings were witnessed in a single day for only the third time in Test history, and in what was the best bowling day in Test cricket since 1902 - 23 wickets fell•Getty Images
Also coming out of retirement in 2011: Martin Crowe, 49, who returned to New Zealand's club circuit 15 years after his last first-class match. In what was an anti-climax, though, he was forced to retire hurt three balls into his first innings with the bat
Also coming out of retirement in 2011: Martin Crowe, 49, who returned to New Zealand's club circuit 15 years after his last first-class match. In what was an anti-climax, though, he was forced to retire hurt three balls into his first innings with the bat•Getty Images
A Virender Sehwag special in Indore. He smacked 219 off 149 balls against West Indies, breaking Sachin Tendulkar's record for the highest ODI score. Coincidentally, both ODI double-centuries were scored in the same Indian state, Madhya Pradesh -Tendulkar's 200 not out came in Gwalior
A Virender Sehwag special in Indore. He smacked 219 off 149 balls against West Indies, breaking Sachin Tendulkar's record for the highest ODI score. Coincidentally, both ODI double-centuries were scored in the same Indian state, Madhya Pradesh -Tendulkar's 200 not out came in Gwalior•Associated Press
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