England's turbulent 2024: LAWRENCE BOOTH picks three hits and three misses from defeat by India, summer victories and a fresh squad building for the Ashes

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England wrapped up their 2024 with a heavy defeat by New Zealand in Hamilton, but finished, ultimately, on a high, with a 2-1 series win overall.

The year started with a hammering in India, before home wins over West Indies and Sri Lanka. Ben Stokes' side then lost in Pakistan, before wrapping things up with victory over New Zealand.

It was a year of transition for England, on the back firstly of Stuart Broad's retirement last year and then James Anderson's departure in the summer. Stokes has been tasked with building a team to compete in the Ashes, which are now a year away.

There have been some successes and some failures, breakout stars, and players still waiting to see if they can make it. But Stokes, as ever, has fully backed his players as much as he can.

2025 will bring a one-off Test against Zimbabwe, before England host India in the summer. Then, they will head down under. 

Mail Sport's LAWRENCE BOOTH provides three hits and three misses from England's topsy-turvy year.

England capped off a topsy-turvy 2025 with defeat - but beat New Zealand 2-1 overall

There were a number of successes in the year, with Gus Atkinson achieving the full house

Brydon Carse looks to have formed a good partnership with Atkinson - the find of the year

Three hits

Gus Atkinson

Achieved a full house in his first year: 12 wickets on debut, a century from No 8 and a hat-trick. Now he just has to find a way of keeping his pace up.

Brydon Carse

England's discovery of the year. He looked completely at home the moment he bowled his opening spell in Pakistan, and his skills ought to work beautifully in Australia.

Jamie Smith

Ended the wicketkeeping debate with a polished performance on both sides of the stumps – despite a howler of a drop in Pakistan. A total of 15 sixes showed his power.

Jamie Smith ended the wicketkeeping debate for the foreseeable with a polished performance both sides of the stumps

Zak Crawley's series average of 8.66 against New Zealand was an all-time England low

Ollie Robinson's talents have been wasted after England lost patience - Dan Lawrence's Test career, meanwhile, is likely over

Three misses

Zak Crawley

Began well in India, but became a walking wicket in New Zealand, where he couldn't handle Henry's seam movement. His series average of 8.66 was an all-time England low.

Ollie Robinson

Such a talented bowler – and such a waste. England's patience with him ran out in India, and it's hard to see how he plays again while Stokes and McCullum are still in charge.

Dan Lawrence

Crawley's broken finger meant Lawrence opened against Sri Lanka, but he averaged 20, looke all at sea, and dropped out of the running – possibly for good.