As a South African who's enjoyed a 'dream season' following the Proteas' climb up the ICC rankings, I've realised that 2008 was actually a pretty SEXY season all round.

I'm a Test cricket fan but cricket as a whole had a pretty damn fine year - and I think most fans of the game would agree. 

Just compare 2008 to previous years or previous decades and the claim becomes obvious. No-one can really complain (except poor Pakistan).

We started off the year with a cracking series between India and Australia and watched the year develop with New Zealand, England, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka ALL adding a twist and their share of fizz.

I was interested in New Zealand's Test fortunes for the first time ever and like-wise it was nice to watch the Bangas mature. Sri Lanka gave us Ajantha Mendis and India unleashed the IPL.

That was already cause for celebration but then England came to the party with a historic home series against South Africa followed by an incredibly news-worthy tour of India.

But that wasn't the extent of it. South Africa were given the honour of finishing off the job India started against the world champions of cricket with a series victory Down Under. I'm possibly a bit biased but that was the cherry on the cake!

Winding its way through the Stanford saga and a windfall for the West Indies, I'm content.

The Aussies are probably pretty down at the minute but that's fair play and just off centre stage their backroom is bubbling over ready for revenge. It's actually a timely defeat that will frame their accomplishments of the last decade (or two).

It's been a SEXY season for cricket and 2008 will be remembered by many fans for a long, long time.