BUY ISSUE 81

We also look ahead to the Women’s T20 World Cup by speaking to Charlie Dean, part of England’s formidable spin arsenal which will be key to their hopes of success in the UAE. Our 12-page preview includes exclusive interviews with West Indies skipper Hayley Matthews and Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu, plus profiles of all 10 teams.

Elsewhere, we pick an XI of the game’s rascals and roisters in WCM’s Rogues’ Gallery, Younis Khan talks to Saj Sadiq about his record-breaking career, Ashley Giles reflects on the conversation that changed his life, and Sam Dalling investigates what the future might hold for county live streams. Rob Smyth is in typically brilliant form as he sheds new light on the understated greatness of Graham Thorpe, we have the latest news on all 18 counties, Will Kirkup examines how the club game is welcoming refugees, and Adam Hollioake speaks to Mel Farrell about love and loss.

As for our columnists, Mark Ramprakash considers the relationship between cricket and mental health, Andrew Miller writes on Brendon McCullum’s new dual role, Lawrence Booth bids a fond farewell to Dawid Malan following his international retirement, and Osman Samiuddin laments the sorry state of Pakistani cricket.

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10 standout quotes from the new issue:

"Because I feel like I’ve been batting so well, you start thinking about hundreds and fifties and you’ve only just started your innings. That’s something I’ve got to get better at, staying in the moment. For me, it probably errs on the side of overconfidence rather than not enough confidence."
Harry Brook speaks to Phil Walker about trying not to get ahead of himself

"McCullum did not need the hassle of this appointment – indeed, he found it deeply unappealing when Rob Key first approached him in 2022. But suddenly, the scenario has changed."
Andrew Miller on why Brendon McCullum's new dual role appeals to him

"His influence on me as a coach was huge. I saw the way he interacted with the players, building relationships. He was like a father figure – very patient with the players but challenging them too."
Mark Ramprakash on his friend and teammate Graham Thorpe

"Going into games against Australia we knew the script, we knew how it was going to go. Even though we had an outside chance, it felt close to impossible. Going into this World Cup, I think there’s a real sense of belief in our own ability and how we can adapt to what they throw at us."
Charlie Dean tells Jo Harman that England are ready to end Australia's T20 World Cup winning streak

"There is no good time to be this bad, but right now is probably the worst. Cricket is in great flux. Money is concentrating around fewer markets. Smaller boards are having to fight harder to stake a claim. Pakistan, meanwhile, is fighting itself. And losing."
Guest columnist Osman Samiuddin on turmoil in Pakistan

"Malan, the semi-outsider, wanted to fit in, to understand the reservations. And it was easy to forget he could be exhilarating when he got in the groove. That’s how he deserves to be remembered – no ifs, and certainly no buts."
Lawrence Booth reflects on the international career of Dawid Malan

"I walked out on cricket 20 years ago and I guess I’m building my confidence back with it. I love cricket. It’s given me everything, all the start in life that I needed. So I want to be back involved, and I want to see what I can achieve in it again."
Adam Hollioake speaks to Mel Farrell about rebuilding his relationship with cricket

"When Shankar was confronted by Luke Sutton over his age: 'His reply, straight to my face, was that he had been on a life support machine for the first three years of his life and was therefore physically three years younger than he should be'."
Adrian Shankar takes his place in WCM’s ‘Rogues’ Gallery'

"When I look back at my relationship with the Pakistan Cricket Board, I do have some regrets. We all wanted the best for Pakistan cricket and our aims and targets were the same. Perhaps I was a little too forceful and aggressive at times, which sometimes resulted in a strained relationship."
Younis Khan talks to Saj Sadiq about his run-laden career

"Playing Test cricket should have been the most enjoyable time of my life but I just wanted to get off the field. We finished at lunchtime and they wanted a picture with everyone; I didn’t even go upstairs, I just took my bags to the car."
Ashley Giles recalls the low point of his career before a candid conversation changed his life

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