Joshua Peck looks at a season in which the drama built to that incredible climax of Middlesex's title clincher.
The finale of the 2016 season will still be talked about in ten, 20 and even 50 years time with all cricket fans knowing exactly where they were when Toby Roland-Jones took that hat-trick.
The thrilling final day which saw Yorkshire, Somerset and eventual title winners Middlesex all in with a chance of winning the title was simply the end of a brilliant year of cricket, however.
Fans of Essex were also celebrating as they gained promotion into Division One so now, with the new season just a week away, we take a look back at the story of 2016…
April
Summer arrived with, predictably, plenty of rain. That combined with the new toss rule that was introduced for the 2016 season saw just five out of the 19 matches scheduled for April end with a positive result. Indeed, Worcestershire suffered their first complete abandonment since New Road’s great flood of 2007 as their opening clash with Kent was washed out without a ball bowled.
There were just two teams gaining victory in Division One with Nottinghamshire edging one team who had been promoted into the top tier in Surrey before being defeated by the other – Lancashire.
While Kent and Worcestershire were raging at the weather, Essex got their promotion-pushing campaign off to the perfect start in Division Two. Alastair Cook, who was available for the opening four games of the Championship, made two centuries in the month as Essex won two of their first three games.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة March 31,2017 من The Cricket Paper.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة March 31,2017 من The Cricket Paper.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Kohli leads RCB to much-needed win
VIRAT KOHLI returned to top form with 72 not out to lead RCB to an eight-wicket victory over the Royals in Abu Dhabi.
TEWATIA HAS SPARKED MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE IPL
James Wallace admits he has been surprisingly taken in by the IPL so far – and, in particular, the performance of a new Royal renegade
Whitewash victory is just the T20 tonic for Keightley
A SERIES that few thought would come to fruition ended in triumph for England who completed a 5-0 whitewash of the West Indies in Derby.
TEN OUT OF TEN! RYAN IS BASKING IN MORE GLORY
Chris Stocks catches up with Ryan ten Doeschate, who has plotted Essex’s recent county domination every step of the way
Surrey have the Will to end hoodoo
WILL Jacks may be a hot batting prospect but he’s relished the added responsibility with the ball in Surrey’s charge to T20 Finals Day.
NOW IT'S OUR TIME TO HELP OTHERS
Chris Stocks catches up with England’s director of cricket and discusses the need for the ECB to help boards around the world
IT'S OFTEN DOWN TO A THROW OF THE DICE
Garfield Robinson explains just how big a part luck plays in determining success or failure in sport
FINDING TALENTS LIKE TOM IS A GAIN IN ITSELF
One of the unexpected highlights to emerge from English cricket’s Covid-attenuated season was the chance given to young players to strut their stuff. With many overseas players and Kolpaks affected by travel restrictions many counties looked instead to the young talent on their staffs with gratifying results.
Future looks bright for the Ohio Slinger
ALI Khan is earning his stars and stripes in the Indian Premier League, with the first American to play in the tournament breaking down barriers in every sense.
Spin trio put squeeze on after Glenn shows off skill with the bat
SARAH GLENN helped England spin it to win it after proving she can make an all-round contribution.