2020 - TWELVE MONTHS SUMMED UP BY TWELVE BRITISH SPORTS STARS -PART 1

January - Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes turned out a man of the match performance in the second Test against South Africa back in January.

In a scintillating final session of the test match he took three wickets to lead England to a 189-run victory over the Proteas. On a pitch which didn't seem to be offering much to bowlers he produced a rapid spell rattling through the South African tail to lead England to victory. It was not just his bowling that stood out here however as he also smashed a ferocious 72 off 47 balls to set the game up for the England victory.

Stokes always manages to produce his best when the chips are down, with match-deciding moments such as this showing why he was voted the BBC Sports Personality of the year at the end of 2019. England would go on to win the series 3-1, with this being the first time that an English side had won 3 tests on South African soil since 1913, much of this was down to the brilliance of Stokes.

February - Tyson Fury

The second month of 2020 brought to us the one of the most highly anticipated fights in heavyweight history.

After having fought severe depression, drugs and substance abuse, Fury weighed in excess of 400lbs, but with the help of trainer Ben Davison, brought himself back from the brink and into the shape of his life.

Fury, who many believed to have won the first fight despite the tie, stepped up to claim the WBC belt as he dismantled Wilder with a performance full of punching power, ending the fight in round seven.

This performance from Fury was seen by many to rival those of Muhammad Ali, as Mike Costello believed that he was "watching a performance that would be remembered forever". Many also don't take into account Wilder's record coming into the fight, with 41KO's in his 43 professional bouts, he was and still is the most feared puncher in the heavyweight division.

To do what Fury did was remarkable and has set him up for a potential heavyweight unification bout against Anthony Joshua, which has been reported to be the richest fight in boxing history.

March - Heather Knight

The 5th of March, England vs India at the SCG. This date was supposedly meant to be a day of huge importance to the England women's cricket team, as they faced off against India with the opportunity to reach their fifth World Cup Final.

This however was not the case as consistent rain throughout the day resulted in a wash out, with India being allowed to progress to the final solely down to their superior positioning from the group stages of the tournament.

Two semi finals at the SCG and a final at the iconic MCG. This conclusion to the World Cup was to be seen as a defining moment for the sport, in a nation which loves the women's game like no other. Heather Knight and her team however had this chance taken away from them, with two years of hard work and dedication thrown down the drain.

The fact of the matter is that in the men's 2019 ODI World Cup, the semi-final between India and New Zealand was played on a reserve day due to the threat of rain, with Kane Williamson's men sneaking through to the final past India. If it had not been for the game being rescheduled, New Zealand would not have made the final and who knows what would have happened from there. These differences show the tough hand that the English team were dealt and how their chances of a first World Cup victory since 2009 were unfairly taken away from them.