Cricket witnessed some high-voltage drama and several mind-boggling clashes in 2019 which proved to be an absolute treat for the fans around the world. From the action-packed ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 to the drama of Ashes, many matches were played which made the viewers bite their nails. The course of the matches were seen changing in just a couple of deliveries which left the fans baffled. However, it is believed that inevitable can be avoided in few matches but there also some series results which shocked everyone and below we’ll at some such series results in 2019 which blew the minds of everyone. Year Ender 2019: From Jofra Archer to Mayank Agarwal, List of Emerging Cricket Stars This Year.
The gentleman’s game is known to be full of uncertainties and that’s exactly what was witnessed in some of the series in 2019. From Australia winning the ODI series against the mighty Indian side to Afghanistan thrashing the defending World T20 champions, some of the series results absolutely blew away the minds of the fans and will be remembered for a long time. So, as the end of 2019 is around the corner, let’s some at some series results which was certainly not on the cards. Year Ender 2019: From Ben Stokes' Miraculous Knock in Ashes 2019 to Kusal Perera’s Sensational Effort, A Look at Some Individual Performances That Avoided The Inevitable.
Australia’s 3-2 victory against India in ODIs
The Aussies didn’t enjoy great success in international cricket during the ban period of Steve Smith and David Warner. They also lost ODI series against India at home by 1-2 and were 0-2 when they visited India’s den for a five-match ODI series. India’s triumph looked just a matter of time. However, the visitors made an unbelievable comeback and won all the last three matches and won the series 3-2.
West Indies’ 2-1 victory against England in Tests
The Caribbeans didn’t leave a significant mark in the longest format of games recently and thus, when England toured them earlier this year, Jason Holder and Co were not expected to put up an emphatic show. However, the hosts gave the Englishmen a run for their money and bagged the series in the first two matches itself. England got a consolation victory in the third Test but it was too late as West Indies emerged as series winners.
Afghanistan's victory against Bangladesh in one-off Test
In recent times, Bangladesh have emerged as a formidable force at home and has defeated teams like South Africa and India at their fortress. So, when Afghanistan, a veteran of just two Tests, visited them, they looked all set to face a loss. However, Rashid Khan and Co had different ideas and they put up a clinical performance in the one-off Test in Chhattogram and dominated the major part of the clash. They eventually registered a 224-run victory and left everyone shell shocked.
Sri Lanka's 3-0 victory against Pakistan in T20Is
Pakistan were the no. one ranked T20I side when Sri Lanka toured them earlier this year. Many prominent players like Angelo Mathews and Lasith Malinga backed out on the tour. So, a chance of the visitors’ triumph was highly unlikely. However, unpredictability and Pakistan go hand in hand and they again put up an unexpected performance. They were dominated by a depleted Lankan side and lost all three matches of the series.
Afghanistan’s 2-1 victory against West Indies in T20Is
West Indies are the World T20 champions and are also regarded as a force to reckon with in the shortest international format. In the series against Afghanistan in India, Kieron Pollard and Co put up a magnificent show in the three-match ODI series and also started the succeeding three-match T20I series on a winning note. However, Afghanistan got the momentum in the remaining two matches of the series and won both of them to lift the series trophy too.
Action in the gentlemen’s game is expected to be continued in 2020 too as the significant matches will be played in the forthcoming year. The ICC World Test Championship will go into its latter half and all the teams must leave no stones unturned to win most of their matches in order to get up in the points table. Also, the ICC T20 World Cup 2020 is also less than a year away and a brand of cricket is expected to be witnessed in the gala tournament.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 24, 2019 07:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).