In the Test arena for England's men, 2018 will be remembered for iconic moments for some of the game's all-time greats.
We saw a legend of the game score his last Test century to spark the most incredible outpour of adulation and appreciation, while another reached incredible historical milestones.
England Men scored 6,305 runs and took 207 wickets across 11 Test matches, claiming series wins at home to India and away to Sri Lanka.
A five-match winning streak closed out the year to set up a potentially thrilling 2019 as attentions turn firstly to the Caribbean before a summer Ashes series with Australia.
Here's our pick of the standout moments from the past 12 months.
Batting
Alastair Cook
The build-up, fanfare and desperation for just one more Alastair Cook Test hundred could not have been greater. As Cook strode out at the Oval in a record 159th consecutive Test match, the scene was set and, with the determination that saw him become an England great, he duly delivered once again.
Joe Root
With a first-innings deficit in the crucial second Test in Sri Lanka, England were in need of inspiration. Skipper Root rose to the occasion, producing a mature and measured innings to set up victory for his side in both the match and the series. His first Test century of 2018 came a few months earlier at the Kia Oval as he batted alongside Alastair Cook for the final time.
Jonny Bairstow
Nobody can doubt the grit, passion and determination of Jonny Bairstow and his century in the third Test in Colombo embodied all of those qualities. Having missed the first two matches through injury, Bairstow grabbed his opportunity to strike a fine hundred batting at number three. His celebrations showed just how much playing for England and returning to the side meant to him. Earlier in March, Bairstow was England’s only centurion in the two-match series in New Zealand.
Keaton Jennings
Jennings’ brilliance at short-leg on the tour of Sri Lanka has threatened to eclipse his efforts with the bat, but his 146* at the top of the order in the first Test was crucial in setting up England’s victory in the match and ultimately the series.
Chris Woakes
Having scored plenty of runs down the order, Chris Woakes is renowned as an all-rounder of serious pedigree and this summer he furthered that reputation as he reached his maiden Test century. With England wobbling at 131-5, the Warwickshire man batted superbly alongside Jonny Bairstow and Sam Curran to build a first-innings lead that saw England go on to beat India by an innings and 159 runs.
Ben Foakes
A Test match hundred on debut is the stuff of which dreams are made. Ben Foakes lived that dream in Galle as he scored a crucial century to take England out of trouble on the opening day of the first Test. The wicketkeeper-batter went on to impress with the gloves as well as the bat and was eventually named Player of the Series.
Jos Buttler
The natural talent, timing and power of Jos Buttler is hard to match in the modern game. With a number of ODI centuries to his name, this summer Buttler was able to raise his bat after reaching three figures in red-ball cricket at Test level at Trent Bridge.
Bowling
Sam Curran
On 2 August against India, Sam Curran truly arrived with the ball in Test match cricket. His fine spell of swing bowling saw him remove Murali Vijay, Lokesh Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan in just eight deliveries to open up and expose India’s middle order.
Ben Stokes
The target of 194 looked to be within India’s grasp as they pushed for victory in the first Test at Edgbaston. With Virat Kohli having passed 50, the visitors looked favourites. However, Ben Stokes had other ideas as he trapped the India captain lbw before going on to take 4-40 and guide England to a 31-run victory.
James Anderson
It was a summer of landmarks for England great James Anderson. With nine wickets in the match at Lord’s as part of a dominant England display, it was the wicket of Murali Vijay in the second innings that will be best remembered. This dismissal was to be Anderson’s 100th at the ground, making him the first fast bowler in history to take a century of wickets at a single venue. Later in the series at the Kia Oval, he became the leading all-time wicket-taker for fast bowlers in Test cricket.
Adil Rashid
Adil Rashid served up one of the most exceptional wickets of 2018 on the final day of the series against India. The leg spinner bowled KL Rahul on day five at the Kia Oval with a delivery that turned 10 degrees out of the rough – sending the batsman back to the changing rooms on 149.
Moeen Ali
Moeen Ali has fond memories of bowling in Southampton and added yet more in a fine match-winning display at the Ageas Bowl. In the first innings his five-wicket haul put the brakes on India’s lead before he removed Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane in the second innings to extinguish Indian hopes of victory.
Spinners. Winners. Grinners!
With 48 wickets between them across the three-match series, England’s spin trio of Moeen Ali, Jack Leach and Adil Rashid shone brightly in Sri Lanka to play a major role in securing a series whitewash. Ali took eight wickets in the first Test to set up victory before a maiden Test five-for in the final innings of the second match saw England to victory. Rashid took his second Test five-for in the final Test with 5-49.