As The Cricketer reviews 2024, we're looking back on our favourite pieces from the last 12 months that you may have missed
As The Cricketer reviews 2024, we're looking back at the outstanding journalism and reporting delivered by our team over the past 12 months.
Digital editor Nick Howson was across the international and domestic game in 2024, covering the biggest events on the calendar and interviewing established and up-and-coming stars. Here, we look at some of his stand-out pieces from the past year.
A huge year of cricket lies ahead, with both men’s and women’s Ashes series to come and India touring our shores. Sign up now for just £1 to read exclusive news, features, analysis and opinion from our award-winning team every day – including unrivalled county cricket coverage as we approach a new English season.
Bodies are everywhere. Celebrations have turned hysterical. Embraces are full of warmth and relief. Smiles are stretched across faces. Tears are in eyes. Players who have given everything are on their knees. Make no mistake, this is what history means and looks like.
Read: "We were dreaming and working for this day" - How Afghanistan made history in St Vincent
"It put a lot of things in my life in perspective. So just making sure I am healthy and happy are the two main things and cricket does both of those. To be out on the park for a prolonged period is really enjoyable. I am lapping it up while I can because I know it can be taken away quite quickly."
Read: Cancer-free Lauren Cheatle revelling in her fresh perspective
Lauren Cheatle returned to her best during The Hundred (Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
When speaking to the newest crop of fast bowlers, it is immediately striking how England's selection approach has liberated them. Suddenly they don't need to stew and sweat over bowling figures, averages and strike rates, and instead dedicate themselves to their skills.
Read: Going viral, boxing fit and bowling fast: There is no ignoring the potential of James Minto
What many of the history books won't reveal is the context of his latest call-up: a ninth Test in 41 months, the chaos behind the scenes, venue uncertainty, and a men's Test team dedicated to losing and whose confidence is rock bottom.
Read: Thigh fives, Walsden CC and varying pace: Sajid Khan justifies another Pakistan selection punt
Rivalries undoubtedly entice and capture the imagination of an audience. Think what the Solheim Cup has become, or how one-on-one jousts like Chris Evert v Martina Navratilova, or Victoria Pendleton v Anna Mears were appointment-viewing contests. What if you could capture just a fracture of the crowd pleading for the men to play more regularly, by delivering bilateral series between the women?
Read: India outsmart bold Pakistan as Dubai clash reminds us what is possible
Australia and India played out a dramatic encounter in Sharjah (Francois Nel/Getty Images)
"It only takes a handful of close finishes in the matches that really matter to change the narrative, for the last week of the competition when the jeopardy ratchets up, to alter how you feel about an event. If Australia's defeat of India in Sharjah is an indication of things to come, then we'll need to reinforce our seatbelts for the final throes of the competition."
Read: Jeopardy delivers as Australia and India embrace the chaos in Sharjah
"I don't think the decision not to retain me has anything to do with cricket. At the time we were playing some pretty good cricket. I stopped thinking about it the moment it was made because there was nothing I could do about it. That is how I live my life. I do my work and focus on the cricket. Life goes go, the game goes on. Coaches come and go all the time. The next coach has a great opportunity with a great bunch of players to do that."
Read: Ottis Gibson says his Yorkshire departure doesn't have "anything to do with cricket"
It speaks to the importance of the process that the BCCI deems necessary to have an actual auctioneer running the show. It would be easy to pass the role over to a series of celebrities or influencers. Whether you like the act of selling off cricketing talent or not, you can't dispute the desire to do things properly.
Mallika Sgar returned to lead the IPL auction for a second consecutive year (Pundole Art Gallery)
No promotional device can truly suppress the mess around the return of this tournament. A competition that the ecosystem really didn't need is proving more trouble than it is worth, exposing deeper problems lurking under the floorboards and in the walls. The Champions Trophy is the ice cream maker you've liberated from the back of the garage which is now tripping the electrics.
Read: Champions Trophy farce leaves the ICC with a fight to stay relevant
This was the only professional cricket taking place across England and Wales on this golden June Saturday and yet it felt hidden. Such limited exposure and several parties are accountable for that, meant the sparse crowd for the duration was both disappointing and inevitable. We can only hope that an overhauled structure can deliver a refresh in this department.
Read: Journey complete for Kirstie Gordon and The Blaze
Join The Cricketer's brand new Whatsapp channel for the latest breaking news, comment and features - click here to become a member
Subscribe to The Cricketer for exclusive content every day: The inside track on everything England - including leading coverage of England in India, award-winning analysis, breaking news and interviews and the only place for in-depth county coverage all year round. Plus: An ad-free app experience at your fingertips. Subscribe to thecricketer.com today for just £1.
Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.