Wisden Cricket Monthly

Wisden Cricket Monthly is ‘the independent voice of cricket’. Read the best writers, exclusive interviews, and the most comprehensive coverage of both the professional and amateur game every month.

THE REAL WORK THAT KEEPS THE GAME ALIVE

EDITOR’S LIST

Wisden Cricket Monthly

THE Top Six The month in cricket No.1

Culling counties would only add to the game’s troubles • As a handful of influential voices insist the county game needs to be streamlined to raise standards, Andrew Miller argues that English cricket should take the opposite path in order to expand its appeal

The promise of spring • New star columnist Mark Ramprakash reflects on the shifting landscape of the domestic game and says England’s dismal winter has created new possibilities for a number of county cricketers who may have thought their Test chances had slipped away

England’s spin cycle is set on repeat • After Matt Parkinson spent another winter carrying the drinks, Lawrence Booth says the leg-spinner’s treatment is just the latest example of English cricket’s mistrust of an art it doesn’t really understand

Unstoppable Australia highlight the hurdles England must overcome • There is no shame in losing to Australia, but England’s runners-up finish at the Women’s World Cup shouldn’t mask the underlying issues facing Heather Knight’s side, writes Raf Nicholson

Quick Singles

The Wisden Five • Lawrence Booth, editor of the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, explains the rationale behind his Five Cricketers of the Year in the 2022 edition

NEWS CYCLE • Wake me up when April ends, writes Ben Gardner

Ramiz Raja • Taha Hashim enters the domain of the former Pakistan opener and current PCB chairman who is ensuring his country’s voice is heard on the world stage

KING BABAR • Ramiz Raja on Babar Azam, Pakistan’s all-format captain, and the feel-good factor that flows from him

THE COUNTY FILES • Covering each of the 18 first-class counties every month, including news, interviews and stats, as well as the oddities which make county cricket what it is

CRICKIPEDIA

RE:VIEW • Following the draft for The Hundred, three writers cast their eye over the rebooted squads and pick their winners for this summer’s tournament, which begins on August 3

Mailbox • In association with Botham Wines, letter of the month receives a bottle of Botham 81 Series Barossa Valley Shiraz – an extra special wine presented in a hand-embossed wooden case which commemorates Sir Ian’s Ashes heroics An alternative prize will be provided if the winner is aged under 18, or if requested

THE IMPOSSIBLE JOB? • With the clamour having grown louder for a change of leadership following England’s defeat in the Caribbean, John Stern gives an appraisal of Joe Root’s five years in charge and considers whether the job of England Test captain is harder now than it’s ever been

Will you still need me, when I’m 64? • The story of Joe Root’s five years and 64 matches as England Test captain

The case for the defence • With no viable alternatives having emerged to replace him, Jo Harman argues that Joe Root remains the man best placed to lead the Test side in the short term

IF NOT ROOT, WHO? • Phil Walker considers the alternatives if the new director of cricket decides to look elsewhere

ENGLAND’S GREAT ESCAPE (And Defeat To The Greatest) • Jo Harman, in conversation with World Cup runner-up Kate Cross, gives the inside story of England’s turbulent campaign in New Zealand, which ended with defeat to an all-conquering Australian side

BOX OFFICE STARS • Ollie Slack picks out the tournament’s standout individual performances

REMEMBER THE NAME • West Indies’ series victory over England in March was a rousing result...