Fact is often stranger than fiction, especially in cricket. If you need proof just look back through 2001.

Who could have predicted VVS Laxman's 281, taking India from follow-on to victory and bringing the Australian juggernaut to a juddering halt at Calcutta in March?

And what about Shane Warne's abrupt return to form to bring England to their knees at Trent Bridge in June?

With that in mind, we took a look into the crystal ball to find out what might happen in 2002.

January:

With the series against South Africa wrapped up, Australian captain Steve Waugh decides that only positive cricket from his side will bring the fans to the New Year Test at the SCG.

Having won the toss, he elects to forfeit his first innings. South Africa reach 200 without loss but their lower order once again fails and they are all out for 201.

The hosts' 567, completed in 60 overs, is enough to ensure victory after a second disappointing knock from the tourists.

Confused by yet another schedule change, England's one-day side arrive in Calcutta for the first match against India, only to find it has been moved to Cuttack. Or was that the other way round?

February:

Despite having wrapped up a tense one-day series 4-2 with a thrilling batting display in Bombay, England are described by Indian commentator Sunil Gavaskar as being "drab, unexciting and of questionable parentage".

Caddick seeks refuge amidst safety fears

On hearing of a bar brawl in Christchurch, bowler Andrew Caddick pulls out of the New Zealand leg of England's tour with safety fears.

Extra bodyguards are drafted in to reassure the rest of the party.

March:

Steve Waugh, hobbled by a broken leg, scores a century against South Africa in the second Test at Newlands.

The home side clinch victory, though, after a plan to play positively backfires. Waugh tells his batsmen they are allowed to leave the odd ball alone outside off-stump, but not too many.

Murphy: Too old

Zimbabwe are handicapped on their tour of India after a new quota is imposed on the side, demanding that no player be over the age of 18.

Captain Brian Murphy says he would have resigned in protest but he has not been in the first choice XI since November, and he is 25.

Sunil Gavaskar says the new-look tourists look, "more wrinkled than my granny, and she's been dead for years".

After drawing the first two Tests of the series, England are boosted by the return of Caddick, who complains he spotted someone not wearing his seatbelt, and a serious litter problem, in Taunton.

He fails to take a wicket in the first innings, but snaps up all 10 in New Zealand's second dig as England clinch an improbable series victory.

April:

The ICC announces its elite panel of five match referees, to take charge of all Test cricket.

It consists of panel head Ranjan Madugalle, Mike Denness, Colonel Naushad Ali, Robo Cop and Judge Pickles.

Robocop appointed ICC match referee

An announcement that the start of the county season has been affected by snow is delayed when the heating fails in the offices of the ECB and the staff are sent home.

Sri Lanka's tourists suffer a scare on arrival in England, but they are informed that ice is perfectly normal in this part of the world and they should get used to losing their footing.

Despite suffering a batting collapse because they are laughing so heartily, South Africa crush Bangladesh by an innings in two Tests. Touring coach Trevor Chappell says his side have to be realistic, and look to bat for longer.

Undaunted by the sight of Sunil Gavaskar pulling faces on the boundary and calling their batsmen "smelly", the West Indies whip India in a Test series in the Caribbean.

May:

Zimbabwe are forced to take on Australia a batsman short after their 14-year-old opener, frightened by a 10-man slip cordon and a gruesome skull injury suffered by Steve Waugh, leaves the field in tears calling for his mother.

But the match, and the series, swings back in the home side's favour when Waugh agrees to use just three men in his batting order to even things up.

"You have to be entertaining for the fans," says Waugh from his oxygen tent.

June:

Yorkshire finally lose patience with England fast bowler Darren Gough and cancel his contract. He signs for Surrey.

Dalmiya pulls India out of touring commitments

Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan is buoyed by a return to Old Trafford for the second Test, and rips through England's batsmen to clinch victory single-handed.

Indian board president Jagmohan Dalmiya pulls the team out of its tour of England, citing the high crime rate in some northern towns as a security worry.

Sri Lanka offer to play England in four more Tests but, having so far taken a 3-0 hammering, the ECB decides it would be best to decline, and to cancel the one-day series as well.

July:

Somerset lose patience with Andrew Caddick, still holed up in a secret location in the mountains, and cancel his contract.

After turning down an offer from Surrey because he has heard it gets a bit leary in South London after the pubs close, Caddick signs for Derbyshire, reasoning nobody will trouble him at the Racecourse Ground because nobody goes to the Racecourse Ground.

August:

Darren Gough takes five wickets in his first match for Surrey, leading the Lions to victory in the B&H Cup final at Lord's.

But Gough then announces that it will be his final appearance of the season as he needs to rest ahead of the Ashes.

September:

There is panic at the offices of the ICC when no computer can be found that is able to calculate the standings in the latest Test Championship.

ICC Championship trophy: Potentially painful

Steve Waugh offers to hang onto the trophy for safekeeping but suffers a nasty injury when he holds the silver sceptre upside-down by mistake on the flight to Pakistan.

Against all odds, Andrew Caddick takes Derbyshire to Lord's for the C&G Trophy final. But when a small child makes a rude sign at the team bus, he hides under a seat and cannot be coaxed out.

Yorkshire overcome a concerted attack from their own former players to retain the County Championship.

October:

With the World Cup just four months away, Zimbabwe announce that they will be unable to compete because of a lack of players.

England unveil their new weapon for the tournament - Ian Austin has been brought out of retirement, and announces that he is bowling as well as ever.

November:

England arrive in Australia for the Ashes without Andy Caddick, who is disturbed by Glenn McGrath's glare, and Darren Gough, who forgot to set his alarm clock.

They stroll to victory in the first Test, however, as Australia are batting so positively that their innings finishes before it has begun, with a negative total.

December:

The Indian tourists are expelled from New Zealand because Sunil Gavaskar, travelling with the party, describes the country as, "only famous for producing green, hairy fruit".

Gavaskar: Distraction

Bangladesh whitewash the West Indies in a two-Test series, thanks to the arrival in the side of newly naturalised fast bowler Trevor Chappell, bowling underarm.

England decide that, with the World Cup looming, the Ashes aren't that important after all, and head home for a break after taking a 3-0 series lead.