From the dismal to the delightful: the year in sport

So long, then, to another thrilling year of sport in which the full range of human possibility — from the dismal frailties of the recidivists who run world football to the brazen brilliance of Japan’s rugby players — made for an intoxicating mix. It began and ended with two epic highs. Back in January, Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson made the first free ascent of the Dawn Wall in Yosemite, the most difficult route in rock climbing, taking 19 days in all. A truly awesome achievement. Most of us could barely get off the ground; Yosemite is 3,000 ft high. Then, almost at year’s end, another high: the only people who recall Great Britain’s last Davis Cup victory are at least 90 years old. Now all of us have something to tell the grandchildren. The scale of Britain’s — and the Murray family’s — achievement cannot be overstated.

But England were dismal in rugby and cricket. And what a strange year for cricket: pink balls, grinding results in the Gulf, and now a potentially dazzling T20 side. Have a punt on them next year: they’re around 9-1 and have a very good shout. Brendon McCullum was one of the sportsmen of the year, charming and thoughtful off the field; savage and inspirational on it. Two brilliant England-Kiwi Tests were followed by a weird, uninvolving Ashes victory. The highlight was the Australians being bowled out before lunch. One of cricket’s best moments came at Dodgers Stadium where Warne’s Warriors beat Sachin’s Blasters in a rum old T20 series for retired players. Elderly, sometimes portly, but still amazingly good cricketers trundling around a baseball field were a lovely sight. And no mention of a third batting bonus point.

Comeback of the year belonged to Frankie Dettori, winning the Derby and the Arc on the magnificent Golden Horn.