England’s drift to nowhere in particular

PLUS ÇA CHANGE

" There’s an irresistible Catch-22 element to the

It’s time to follow the Broad blueprint, and to make him skipper

With Joe Root’s captaincy having run its course and no other candidate making a compelling case, Stuart Broad is the man to lead England’s Test team through choppy waters, argues Andrew Miller

Khawaja makes timely re-emergence ahead of Australia’s Asian odyssey

After enjoying home comforts for too long, Australia now have the opportunity to perform their role as global citizens, says Adam Collins, with the resurgent Usman Khawaja leading the way

Ebadot earns his wings as Bangladesh stun New Zealand

By defeating the Black Caps at Mount Maunganui, Bangladesh became the first Asian team to win a Test match in New Zealand since 2011, delivering one of the format’s biggest shocks in the process

Quick Singles

The month’s news in brief

The world according to... Danni Wyatt

30, INTERNATIONAL CRICKETER

NEWS CYCLE

There’s been plenty surprising about the Ashes so far, writes Ben Gardner. Unless you’re Chris Silverwood, that is

Steve Harmison

The former fast bowler turned pundit talks to John Stern about England’s botched Ashes campaign, the glory days of county cricket, and providing a night light for Andrew Flintoff

Twin Peaks

Matt and Callum Parkinson are “living the dream together ”, excelling in the only career they ever seriously considered. They speak to Jo Harman about the joys and complexities of sharing the journey as best friends and twin brothers

In other news...

Sussex It’s been a busy month at Hove,

CRICKIPEDIA

The alternative compendium of cricket

RE:VIEW

Three writers pick out who they think should be the next debutant in the England men’s Test side

Mailbox

In association with Botham Wines, letter of the month receives a bottle of Botham 80 Series Cabernet Sauvignon – an extra special wine presented in a hand-embossed wooden case

2021 WISDEN MEN’S TEST XI

THE SELECTION PANEL: Andrew Alderson, Lawrence Booth, Adam

ROHIT SHARMA India’s man for all seasons

Taha Hashim examines the evolution of a modern great

‘As long as the candle of hope burns brightly, nothing can stop you’

After a decade in the wilderness, Fawad Alam has become Pakistan’s middleorder rock. He spoke to Saj Sadiq about never giving up on his dream

Innings of the Year

KYLE MAYERS WEST INDIES

Spell of the Year

AJAZ PATEL NEW ZEALAND

Coach of the Year

JUSTIN LANGER AUSTRALIA

WOMEN’S CROSS-FORMAT XI

Raf Nicholson and Syd Egan select an all-star team for 2021

The Burning Questions

Phil Walker introduces a special five-part section looking at the issues underscoring the mess that is English Test cricket

GARY KIRSTEN

‘I’d love to be involved in the discussion’

No.2 Is the County Championship fit for purpose?

Three figures from the heart of the county game debate the shortcomings of the domestic red-ball competition and consider what can be done to rectify them

No.3 Pitch battles

Dead tracks, green ones, minefields – whenever batters struggle, that strip of 22 yards tends to be in the firing line. But is it fair?

No.4 Coaching: Methods or people

Cameron Ponsonby delves deep into the vexed issue of modern coaching practices

No.5 Who should England take to the Windies?

The Burning Questions

Beyond the Horizon

LANNING & KNIGHT

ICONOGRAPHY of cricket

PART 5: 1940-1949

5-14 Andrew Caddick

England v West Indies | Fourth Test | Headingley, 2000

Alec STEWART

The Surrey and England stalwart on family dynamics, taking up the gloves, and his chalk-and-cheese relationship with Mike Atherton

Get in shape for the season

At the heart of club cricket

David Snellgrove

The Wisden Club Cricket Hall of Fame

Reviews

Phil Tufnell takes a breather during a Championship

Time Warp

The winner of this month’s quiz will receive a copy of Why We Kneel, How We Rise by Michael Holding, the 2021 William Hill Sports Book of the Year

GOLDEN SUMMERS 1966

Tales & treasures from cricket’s glorious past

The Line-up

Sharing the Ashes spotlight

52 Andy Zaltzman’s Number Palace!

Jonny Bairstow’s 113 at the SCG was the