THE NIGHT WATCHMAN

Just passing through

CRICKET MONTHLY

EDITOR’S LIST

TEST STILL BEST FOR WISDEN AND MCC

THE Top Six

The month in cricket No.1

Saturated schedule leaves World Cup preparations in the shade

England’s men begin the defence of their 50-over World Cup title in October, and yet they ’ve not had their best XI on the park since that unforgettable day at Lord’s in July 2019. Andrew Miller considers how that will impact their chances and what it says about the shifting sands of the global game

Team of the Month

Jo Harman selects a side of the standout performers from the last month’s action, covering stonewallers in the Test arena and boundaryclearers on the T20 circuit

Nagpur serves up a familiar Aussie nightmare

Adam Collins was at Nagpur to see Australia’s long-term planning fall to pieces in the face of a relentless, voracious Indian side

Into the breach

On March 4, the women’s game will take its single biggest leap forward yet, writes Isa Guha

NEWS CYCLE

Australia lose to India, everyone is angry, and no one is surprised, writes Ben Gardner

Rainford-Brent finds the ace in the pack

The rapid success of the African-Caribbean Engagement programme has dispelled the myth that black kids no longer like cricket, writes Lawrence Booth

Quick Singles

The month’s news in brief 

BELINDA CLARK

TRAILBLAZER, RUNMAKER, DECISION MAKER, BRONZE IMMORTAL

RE:VIEW

In the midst of an India v Australia Test series where the nature of the tracks has been a hot topic, three Wisden writers consider whether pitch preparation is tilted too far in favour of the home side

Z CRICKIPEDIA

The alternative compendium of cricket

Essex: notes on a scandal

Phil Walker explores the state of play at Essex – aclub which prides itself on diversity, braced for the publication of an investigation into allegations of racism and bullying

In other news...

Sussex Sussex have been busy in the transfer

Mailbox

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

KEY/ BUTCHER

England’s managing director of men’s cricket sits down with his former teammate and Sky colleague to discuss his first 10 months in the job

‘County cricket has to move with the times’

After nearly 20 years on the county circuit

From Beckenham to the boardroom

Jo Harman charts the rise of Rob Key

Smiling like he means it

Jack Leach’s England career has gone through various incarnations. Only now is he finally able to say he belongs

CHAMPION COUNTIES

THE GREATEST CAMPAIGNS IN CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

IMPERIOUS PRIME LUCRE

For Matt Roller, the IPL has been a constant presence in his cricketwatching life. As the game-changing tournament begins its 16th year, he picks out the key moments from its story so far, and considers what the next extravaganza might throw up

16 Qs for IPL16

Who’s in control? For Australia and England’s multi-format

SLIP FIELDERS

In the sixth part of our series, we celebrate those masters of the office

The summer that got cricket swinging

John Stern takes us back 60 years to a landmark summer when cricket changed forever

1963 on and off the field

January Sir Pelham Warner dies February Harold Wilson

PROCREATION

MATT ROOT, FATHER OF JOE AND BILLY

ALLAN LAMB

The England and Northants legend on switching allegiances, taking on the Windies and fighting the most important battle of his life

Create a cricket pitch

James Wallace learns about the intricacies that go into preparing the whole 22 yards

HOTBEDS

No.2 BOLTON

Dominating Spin

The WCM coaching team is here to help you improve your cricket. Got a query? A kink in your backlift? A front-foot problem you can’t fix? Email us editorial@wisden.com and one of our experts could be tackling your question in a future issue

Pre-season batting drills

Our speciali st batting coach, Toby Radford, outlines the best drills for batters to work on in pre-season

Joe Root ’s rhythmical backswing

Joe Root’s effortless timing and control is largely

John Trueman

The Wisden Club Cricket Hall of Fame 

Beyond the Boundary

Surrey CCC are showcasing non-playing opportunities to work in cricket through an innovative new campaign, and Wisden Cricket Monthly are lending their support

Time Warp

The winner of this month’s quiz will receive a copy of The Queen at the Cricket by Kit Harris.

THE TEST – SEASON TWO

DIRECTED BY ADRIAN BROWN AND SHELDON WYNNE

Chaos Theory

Australia v India Second Test, Sydney, December 13, 1947

The Lockdown That Changed My Life

JAKE LINTOTT

PAGES FOR ALL AGES

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The Nightwatchman

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WISDEN

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Audiobook

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BEYOND THE BOUNDARIES

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THE LEGEND OF SPARKHILL

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SUMMER’S COMING

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SUMMER DAYS PROMISE

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