TRIUMPHS OF 2019

Ben Stokes’s arms held aloft in apology in the dying stages of the greatest World Cup final at Lord’s on July 14, has become cricket’s iconic image in 2019. The England all-rounder’s desperate dive resulted in a throw from the deep ricocheting off the bat and going for four when nine were needed off the last three balls. They were awarded six runs when it later emerged that England should only have gotten five. The match still ended in a tie, the Super Over also ended in a tie and England were declared winners by virtue of having hit more boundaries -- a rule that was later discontinued. There was untold joy for England and despair for New Zealand, each of whom were vying for their first trophy.

Photo: afp/reuters/twitter

Liverpool claimed their sixth UEFA Champions League title and their first since 2005 when the Reds defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 in Madrid on June 1. Mohammed Salah set Liverpool on their way with a penalty after two minutes before a late Divock Origi strike confirmed Liverpool’s triumph in what was the first all-English final since 2008.

Manchester City retained the Premier League title when they defeated Brighton 4-1 at the Amex Stadium on May 12. City finished with 98 points, dropping just 16 all season. It was the second highest haul in Premier League history -- two shy of the 100 points that they acquired the previous season. No wonder manager Pep Guardiola got the rock star treatment.

If there were thoughts that a new generation of tennis stars would take over in 2019, Novak Djokovic dispelled them at the first opportunity by winning his seventh Australian Open and surpassing Roy Emerson as the most decorated champion in Melbourne.

Having won his record-extending 12th French Open, Rafael Nadal ended the year with his fourth US Open title, ensuring that the old guard – Djokovic had won Wimbledon – hogged all the Grand Slams in 2019.

Even as Barcelona were knocked out by eventual winners Liverpool in this year’s Champions League, Lionel Messi claimed a record sixth Ballon d’Or trophy, all of them coming in the last decade. His individual performances throughout the year -- scoring 51 goals – saw him move ahead of generational rival Cristiano Ronaldo’s haul of five Ballon d’Ors. Photo: FC Barcelona

Liverpool and Netherlands defender Virgil Van Dijk won the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year, beating three-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo and two-timer Lionel Messi. The 28-year-old kept more clean sheets (20 in 38 app) than any defender in Europe’s top five leagues in 2018/19 and was also adjudged player-of-the match in the UEFA Champions League final.

After nearly a decade in the doldrums as personal problems led to failing form, golfing legend Tiger Woods proved that greatness endures when he won the 2019 Masters at the revered Augusta National Golf Club.

Following their triumphs of 1995 and 2007, South Africa secured their third title and also equalled New Zealand’s record when they defeated England 32-12 in the final at the International Stadium in Yokohama. The Springboks, who had lost their pool stage opener against the All Blacks 23-13, became the first team ever to win the title after losing a match in the pool stage. Meanwhile defending champions New Zealand finished third after defeating Wales in the third-place deciding match.