Cricket is a beloved game, watched and enjoyed by millions around the world. It has been an exciting year for the sport, with some thrilling matches and moments that will never be forgotten. From the T20 World Cup to Bangladesh’s win against India, cricket fans were treated to a year of incredible action. In this article, we will be taking a look back at some of the most memorable cricket events of 2022, providing a comprehensive review of the year in cricket.
We will look at the big wins, the epic collapses, and the individual performances that made this year so memorable. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the 2022 cricket year in review!
11 Biggest Cricket Events in 2022
There are several major cricket events that are held at the international level, as well as at the domestic level within individual countries. Read on to learn more.
June 7, 2022: Sri Lanka vs Australia
Host
After visiting Australia last year, Sri Lanka hosted Australia this year for Test, One Day, and T20 matches.
The Australia men’s cricket team toured Sri Lanka in June and July 2022 to play two Tests, five One Day Internationals (ODIs), and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). The Test series was a part of the 2021–2023 ICC World Test Championship. Both cricket boards confirmed the tour schedule in March 2022. The Australia A cricket team also played two List A and two first-class matches against the Sri Lanka A team during the series.
Champion
Australia won the T20I series 2–1, and Sri Lanka won the ODI series 3–2. The Test series was drawn 1–1.
Awards
- Player of the series for ODIs: Kusal Mendis (Sri Lanka)
- Player of the series for Tests: Dinesh Chandimal (Sri Lanka)
- Player of the series for T20Is: Aaron Finch (Australia).
Read More: SL vs AUS 2022: Lankans eye first home series win.
June 16, 2022: West Indies vs Bangladesh Test Series
The Padma Bridge Dream Fulfilled Friendship Test Series between Bangladesh and West Indies was sponsored by Walton.
Host
West Indies hosted the Bangladesh men’s cricket team to play two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is in June and July 2022.
The Test matches were part of the 2021–2023 ICC World Test Championship. A draft tour schedule was announced in May 2022. The full schedule of the tour was confirmed on June 1, 2022. After 2018, this was the first time Bangladesh went on a Caribbean tour.
On May 22, 2022, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced the squad for the tour with Mominul Haque as the captain of the Test team. But after Bangladesh’s Test series defeat against Sri Lanka, Mominul Haque relinquished the Test captaincy. Later, Shakib Al Hasan was replaced as the captain.
Champion
The West Indies won the Test series by 2–0 and won the T20I series by 2–0. However, Bangladesh won the ODI series by 3–0.
Awards
- Player of the series for ODIs: Tamim Iqbal (Bangladesh)
- Player of the series for Tests: Kyle Mayers (West Indies)
- Player of the series for T20Is: Nicholas Pooran (West Indies).
Read More: WI vs BAN Test Series 2022: Who has better record?
July 7, 2022: India vs England Bilateral Series
Host
Team India visited England in July 2022 to play three One-Day Internationals and three Twenty20 Internationals.
In September 2021, the England and Wales Cricket Board ( ECB) confirmed that due to the cancellation of the 5th Test of India’s tour of England in 2021, India would also play a Test match in the tour.
England’s Owen Morgan announced his retirement from international cricket after the ODI series against the Netherlands in June 2022. Therefore, Jos Buttler was appointed as England’s new ODI captain in this series.
Champion
It was a great tournament for India as they won both the T20I and ODI series by 2-1. Rishabh Pant was the top scored in ODI as he scored 125 runs in three matches.
Awards
- Player of the series for ODIs: Hardik Pandya (India)
- Player of the series for T20Is: Bhuvneshwar Kumar (Ind).
Read More: Pant and Pandya star as India wins ODI series vs. England
July 19, 2022: South Africa vs England
Host
The South Africa men’s cricket team went to England and Wales to play two series against England and Ireland in July, August, and September 2022.
The team played three Tests, ODIs, and T20Is against England. Test matches were played as part of the 2021–2023 ICC World Test Championship. Between the T20I and Test series against England, the team also plays two T20I matches against Ireland.
Champion
South Africa’s ODI series against England was drawn by 1–1. However, South Africa won the T20I series by 2–1. In addition to that, South Africa won the T20I series against Ireland by 2–0. On the other hand, England won the Test series by 2–1. Rassie van der Dussen was outstanding in this tournament, and he scored 160 runs in ODIs. Anrich Nortje to 6 wickets in ODIs and became the top wicket-taker in the ODI series.
Awards
- Player of the series for ODIs: Rassie van der Dussen (South Africa)
- Player of the series for Tests: Ben Stokes (England), Kagiso Rabada (South Africa)
- Player of the series for T20Is: Reeza Hendricks (South Africa).
Read More: ENG vs SA 2022: The T20I series a World Cup dress rehearsal
July 30, 2022: Walton T20I Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh Series 2022
Host
The Bangladesh men’s cricket team visited Zimbabwe in July and August 2022 to play three ODIs and T20Is.
The tour was initially scheduled to consist of two Tests and three ODIs. But later, T20I matches were added to the tour instead of Test matches. All matches were played at the Harare Sports Club ground.
Champion
Zimbabwe won the T20I series by 2–1, which was Zimbabwe’s first T20I series win against Bangladesh. Zimbabwe also won the ODI series 2–1. Overall, this series was disastrous for Bangladesh, but Anamul Haque Bijoy played pretty well, as he scored 169 in the ODI series.
Awards
- Player of the series for ODIs: Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe)
- Player of the series for T20Is: Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe).
Read More: Raza guides Zimbabwe to historic series win
August 27, 2022: 2022 Asia Cup
Host
While the tournament takes place in any of the playing countries, this year, it took place in UAE. However, the 2022 Asia Cup was scheduled to take place in 2020. But it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Later the tournament was announced to be held in Sri Lanka in June 2021 but was later postponed again.
The Asia Cup Twenty20 (T20) tournament is an international cricket tournament contested by the men’s national cricket teams of the members of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). The main teams that compete in the tournament are India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong. The tournament is played in the Twenty20 International format.
The tournament usually has a round-robin format consisting of a group stage, super four, and final. The six teams are divided into two groups, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the final.
This year India, Pakistan, and Hong King were in group A while Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka were in group B. India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka proceeded to the super four. There were a few thrilling matches throughout the tournament.
Champion
Pakistan and Sri Lanka played the final, where Sri Lanka won the tournament by defeating Pakistan by 23 runs in the final.
Awards
- Player of the series: Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka)
- Most runs: Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)
- Most wickets: Bhuvneshwar Kumar (India).
Read More: Top Individual performers in Asia Cup Cricket 2022
