The 2025 cricket season delivered drama, redemption, and sheer brilliance, etching moments into the sport's rich tapestry. From the domestic grind of the County Championship to the high-stakes theatre of international Test matches, the year provided narratives that resonated far beyond the boundary rope. Here are three defining memories that captured the essence of the game's enduring appeal.
Peter Moores' Triumphant Redemption at Trent Bridge
For coach Peter Moores, 2025 culminated in a remarkable and unprecedented achievement. Twenty-two years after first winning the County Championship with Sussex, he guided Nottinghamshire to the title, securing a historic championship with a third different county. This victory was a testament to resilience, coming after two bruising spells as England men's team coach that both ended in dismissal.
Moores, who grew up in Macclesfield, has repeatedly demonstrated an ability to rebuild and succeed. After his first England tenure concluded following a fallout with Kevin Pietersen, he led Lancashire to their first outright Championship in 77 years in 2011. His second England opportunity was also short-lived, but he dusted himself down once more.
At Trent Bridge, he found a kindred spirit in captain Haseeb Hameed, another player twice tried and discarded by England. Together, they forged a winning partnership, with the 28-year-old skipper rediscovering glorious form at domestic level. Their shared understanding of the game's "capricious cruelty" and refusal to accept the word "never" powered Nottinghamshire to glory, with the Championship pennant set to fly proudly in Nottingham next season.
Mohammed Siraj's Furious Finale at The Oval
The final Test of a shortened summer against England at The Oval provided a stage for pure, unadulterated heart. With the series poised at 2-2 and England needing just 35 runs with four wickets remaining, the day dawned grey in south London. The drama was heightened by the sight of Chris Woakes walking to the crease with his arm in a sling, embodying a desperate courage.
Yet the day belonged to India's tireless warrior, Mohammed Siraj. Having bowled the most overs and taken the most wickets in a gruelling five-match series, the fast bowler summoned one last, furious effort. Breathing fire and inspiring his team, he tore through the English tail to secure a dramatic draw and a shared series.
The rickshaw driver's son from Hyderabad, betraying his humble origins in a joyously chaotic post-match interview, struggled for words in broken English. But his emotion needed no translation. Viewers understood his heart and soul, a display that arguably saved the series for India and prevented a 3-1 England victory, ensuring the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy was shared.
Temba Bavuma's Legacy-Defining Catch in Kolkata
At Eden Gardens, with a treacherous pitch making every run precious, South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma authored a moment of fielding genius that decided a Test series. South Africa, led by Bavuma's stoic, unbeaten 55, had set India a target of 124. India's Axar Patel seemed to be swinging the match decisively with a brutal assault, smashing 4, 6, 0, 6 to bring the target down to just 31.
As Patel swung again off Keshav Maharaj, the ball spiralled high into the Kolkata sky. Bavuma turned and ran back towards the boundary, the fate of the match, the series, and perhaps his own legacy hanging in the thick air. Eleven years after his Test debut, the captain kept his eyes locked on the diminishing red sphere and clung on to a spectacular, game-changing catch.
The instant comparison was to Kapil Dev's legendary 1983 World Cup final catch to dismiss Viv Richards. While Bavuma's may not alter cricket's global history, it did secure a magnificent 2-0 series win for South Africa in India, a monumental achievement. This act of cool brilliance, following a match of immense personal grit, should cement Bavuma's status as a leading candidate for the world's premier cricketing accolade in the 2026 Wisden Almanack, crowning the best cricket of his career.
