An Ashes series lost, a host of big name retirements and the arrival of day-night Test cricket - it's been a tumultuous year of change in Australian cricket.
SAD START
There were many painful reminders of Phillip Hughes' shock death that Australia had to deal with this year. Returning to the SCG was always going to be among the most challenging, particularly for those in the field when Hughes finished 63 not out. David Warner scored an emotional century in the fourth Test, memorably kneeling and kissing the ground where Hughes was felled. The match was drawn but Steve Smith led the side to a 2-0 series win over India.
WORLD CUP TRIUMPH
Mitchell Starc confirmed his status as the best white-ball bowler in the world by leading Australia to one-day glory in March. Starc was crowned player of the tournament, having snared 22 wickets including the scalp of New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum in the final. The trans-Tasman rivals played out a thrilling pool clash in Auckland but the MCG decider was a fizzer, with Australia winning by seven wickets.
CRUISING IN THE CARIBBEAN
Starc and Josh Hazlewood were at the fore of Australia's 2-0 Test series win over the men from the Caribbean. Adam Voges scored 130 on debut and was named man of the match in Dominica, while Nathan Lyon became the nation's most productive offspinner. It seemed to be a promising stopover before the squad landed in England.
ASHES ANGST
There was no shortage of twists, tumultuous collapses and retirements as Australia lost the iconic Test series 3-2. Ryan Harris broke down shortly after landing in London, while the trip was also the Test swansong of Shane Watson, Brad Haddin, Chris Rogers and Michael Clarke. The urn was handed back after the fourth Test at Trent Bridge, where Australia were skittled for just 60 on the morning of day one.
CHANGING OF THE GUARD
Steve Smith was installed as skipper following Michael Clarke's retirement, with David Warner stepping up as his deputy. A postponed tour of Bangladesh due to terrorism concern meant a three-Test home series against NZ was the new-look leadership team's first assignment. Warner cracked twin tons at the Gabba then 253 in Perth, where Mitchell Johnson retired mid-Test.
DAY-NIGHT TEST
Australia's three-wicket win over New Zealand in Adelaide gave the hosts a 2-0 series win but the occasion was as important as the result. Cricket Australia successfully staged the first ever day-night Test, which featured a pink ball. Runs were at a premium, the game ended on day three and players still harbour concerns about the concept. However, TV ratings and crowd numbers were big so there will almost certainly be more of it in 2016.
THE BASH GETS BIGGER AS WINDIES WOBBLE
Predictions of a woefully uncompetitive West Indies outfit proved true in the first Test, where Australia won by an innings and 212 runs after enforcing the follow-on. Interest has instead switched to the Big Bash League, which is somewhat of a selection trial for the T20 World Cup. That tournament starts in March and Australia's 15-man squad is far from settled, especially with Starc and Pat Cummins unavailable due to injury.
Share
