A whirlwind hundred to rouse spirits

As the Kevin Pietersen dispute hung over an English Spring, the Lord's crowd watching an ODI against Sri Lanka needed something to lift their spirits - especially after Sri Lanka posted 300+. Jos Buttler responded to a near-impossible task with England's fastest ODI hundred and victory was still possible when he was run out in the final over. Truly, a glorious failure - David Hopps.

Jos Buttler's ODI century at Lord's was not enough to win the game, but it was more than enough to offer hope of a new, exciting future for England - George Dobell.

The restatement that Joe Root had the attributes of a top-quality international batsman, comfortable across all formats. The odds were always in his favour, but he showed you don't have to be broken by an Ashes whitewash - Andrew McGlashan.

Day One of the Oval Test against India - after a summer of troubles, England were back to their dominating best in home conditions, rifling out the hapless tourists and building a strong reply by the close - Alex Winter.

James Anderson's tears after losing the Headingley Test. His dismissal from the penultimate ball gave Sri Lanka their first series win in England - and followed another final-over finish at Lord's. Anderson summed up the emotions only Test cricket can evoke - Alan Gardner.

Gareth Breese, in his farewell match for Durham, at the Royal London Cup Final: taking a few wickets, scoring the winning runs and then Marco Tardelli-ing it around the Lord's outfield before embracing his kids. A touching moment that showed this game is not all about brash politicking - Vithushan Ehantharajah.

Scotland have been overtaken by Ireland on and off the pitch in the last decade but 2014 hinted at a Tartan resurgence. Scotland exhibited a new-found self-belief to reach the World Cup with seven straight wins. They will soon have a new home ground, too, with plans afoot to make Stirling the country's cricketing base - Tim Wigmore.