It was a summer of cricket like never before: at a challenging time for everyone, England played host to international cricket action.
Empty stands, bio-bubbles, social distancing and new standard operating procedures – the vocabulary used for cricket changed. But thanks to the efforts of several teams, on and off the field, from around the world, fans enjoyed a summer of high-profile international cricket in England, in the middle of a global pandemic.
This past summer featured 18 men's matches and five women's matches across formats, with teams from West Indies, Ireland, Pakistan and Australia in attendance for compelling on field action.
Here we look back at the cricketing summer and the big hits from the season.
Making cricket happen
The idea of cricket happening within a bubble seemed far-fetched when it was first put forward. From chartered flights to quarantining players, bio-secure environments, staying in hotels on the ground and training within the bubble, cricket witnessed a new normal, with plenty of work going on behind the scenes to make it happen.
Road to Return ⏩ Episode 2: The Bubble 😷
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 7, 2020
with @RL_Cricket pic.twitter.com/TQoRXRVHvp
With constant testing and player movements tracked, the effort to keep the bubble intact was commendable. Despite instances of breaches and travel-related challenges cricket went on and the action proved to be a feast. "I think certainly we have pioneered – or mapped out – exactly how to get cricket back on,” Eoin Morgan, the white-ball skipper, said.
West Indies got plenty of gratitude from the England cricket fraternity for being the first team, men's and women's, to agree to fly into the country and pave the way for other teams to tour too. "I'm very proud," said Stafanie Taylor, the West Indies skipper, at the end of the final match of the summer. "When the chance came, we took it because we wanted to play some cricket. We knew what the challenges would be but, nevertheless, we wanted to come here and play some good cricket."
Separate white and red ball teams
The demands of the schedule and the bio-bubble meant England had to line up separate white and red-ball men's teams, with the first Test match against Pakistan in Manchester happening a day after the final ODI against Ireland in Southampton.
Test cricket ✔️
— ICC (@ICC) July 9, 2020
ODI cricket ⏳
England have begun preparations for their first post-lockdown white-ball series, which they will play against Ireland at the end of this month. pic.twitter.com/6exjnIaYb5
With no quick end to the pandemic in sight, and more boards looking to get their schedules back on track, this might be something more teams will embrace.
Taking a stand
The season began with England and West Indies players and support staff taking a knee to support the Black Lives Matter movement, and ended with their women's teams doing the same. It sent a strong message and was backed up by efforts from the broadcasters and commentators in bringing attention to a pressing issue.
Players and umpires took a knee before the start of play in support of the Black Lives Matter movement 💪 #ENGvWI pic.twitter.com/cwneMBOGxv
— ICC (@ICC) July 8, 2020
A first for England Women
After India and South Africa were forced to pull out of their tours to England, Heather Knight's side were in danger of going all summer without any internationals – until West Indies came to the rescue. Keen to put on a strong show, during what was promoted by ECB as 'women's cricket month', an all-round performance from the hosts ensured a 5-0 sweep in the T20Is, a first for them in bilateral cricket.
It took their winning streak in completed matches in the format to eight.
The Broad and Anderson show
Stuart Broad was the star of the summer for the England men. Broad picked up his 500th Test wicket and finished the summer with 29 wickets in five Tests at an average of 13.41, including a best of 6/31. From being a doubtful starter at the start of the summer to producing stellar performances – he even averaged 41.33 with the bat in the summer, scoring at a strike-rate of 111.71 – Broad's fortunes took a firm U-turn.
On day one of the #ENGvPAK Test, Stuart Broad was honoured with a silver stump to celebrate reaching 500 Test wickets.
— ICC (@ICC) August 22, 2020
Broad reached the milestone in the series against West Indies earlier in the summer 👏 pic.twitter.com/NwlZz4Qdj2
James Anderson was equally effective at the other end. He became the first fast bowler ever to pick up 600 Test wickets. At 38, Anderson squashed rumours of a possible retirement and was one of the standout performers for England in the summer.
Balls bowled to take 600 Test wickets:
— ICC (@ICC) August 25, 2020
Muttiah Muralitharan 3️⃣3️⃣,7️⃣1️⃣1️⃣
JAMES ANDERSON 3️⃣3️⃣,7️⃣1️⃣7️⃣
Shane Warne 3️⃣4️⃣,9️⃣2️⃣0️⃣
Anil Kumble 3️⃣8️⃣,4️⃣9️⃣4️⃣ #ENGvPAK pic.twitter.com/HTKxQn5CuJ
Young blood steps up
Zak Crawley topped the run charts in the summer with 417 runs at an average of 69.5. His flamboyance in the middle order helped England fill one major void in their batting line-up. Crawley's sensational double hundred (267 at Southampton) against Pakistan made him the third-youngest Englishman to the landmark.
Jermaine Blackwood's exceptional fourth-innings knock of 95 at Southampton set up a West Indies win in the first match of the summer. Ollie Pope (England) and Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan) in the Tests; David Willey, Sam Billings (England) and Curtis Campher (Ireland) in the men's ODIs, and Player of the Series in the women's T20Is Sarah Glenn also made lasting impressions.
😃
— ICC (@ICC) August 21, 2020
All smiles from Zak Crawley after an incredible day for him! #ENGvPAK pic.twitter.com/PVidfhmNLb
ICC Cricket World Cup Super League begins
England, Ireland and Australia began their ICC Cricket World Cup Super League campaigns on their 'Road to 2023'. It was not all smooth sailing for the ODI champions, though. They began with an ODI loss to Ireland and a series loss to Australia.
Thank you to West Indies, Ireland, Pakistan and Australia for an incredible summer of cricket.
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 16, 2020
Thank you to all those behind the scenes who made it possible.
Thank you to our supporters and everyone who shares our love for this great sport.
❤️🏏 pic.twitter.com/Q42yGcfymz
The ODI series loss to Australia was the first time England lost a home ODI series in the last five years. They had a much better time on the ICC World Test Championship, though, where they are third, despite starting off on the wrong foot with a loss to West Indies.
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