The best photos from the summer of cricket

Deep into September, another enthralling summer of cricket in the UK finally draws to a close.

Legends have waved farewell. New talents have arrived. Records and hearts have been broken.

With the help of Getty Images, BBC Sport looks at a selection of the best photos from a cracking cricketing summer...

A summer of batting

There were many heroic exploits with willow in hand this summer - Tom Banton batting on one leg in Somerset's stunning win over Surrey and Maia Bouchier's breakout first international century come to mind.

Nat Sciver-Brunt continued to dominate bowling attacks both domestically and internationally.

And Joe Root reeled off another majestic summer, cementing his status as England's greatest batter with a record 34th Test century for his country.

A summer of bowling

Stumps were sent flipping backwards, while West Indies spinner Kevin Sinclair did the same in the most eye-catching celebration of the summer.

Young prospects stepped up to lead the attack in all forms across the men's and women's games.

But the biggest bowling story of the summer was the departure of the most successful pace bowler the sport has ever seen as James Anderson said goodbye to Test cricket following 704 glorious wickets.

A summer of outrageous catches

Catches win matches but they also make for some sensational photos too.

Among several contenders, England's Brydon Carse made a late bid for grab of the summer with a full-length dive to dismiss Australia's Steve Smith in the one-day international series.

A summer of the funny side of cricket

Always a comedic highlight of the summer, this year's T20 Blast finals day mascot derby was a classic.

Defending champion, Lancashire's Lanky the Giraffe, led for most of the race only to be surpassed late on by Glamorgan's Dewi the Dragon.

And finally

Finals day provided one of the most moving moments of the summer too as James Bracey handed Gloucestershire's first T20 trophy to club president and former England fast bowler David 'Syd' Lawrence, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in June.

And cricket mourned the loss of England and Surrey great Graham Thorpe, who tragically died aged 55 in August.

Credits

Written by Jack Skelton
Subbed by James Standley
Design by Scott McCall
Images by Getty