Wisden Cricket Monthly issue 85 – 100 hundreds that changed the game (and a few that changed the world)

BUY ISSUE 85

A selection of the game’s best writers tell the stories behind a century of centuries spanning more than 250 years which left an indelible mark on an ever-evolving sport and, in some instances, sparked social or political change.

Elsewhere in the magazine, Brydon Carse talks to Jo Harman about the ban which led to his emergence as a leading figure for England, Temba Bavuma opens up to Mel Farrell about his incredible personal journey and South Africa’s run to the World Test Championship final, and Katya Witney explores the challenges of being both a mother and professional cricketer.

In a jam-packed issue which also includes a beautifully designed wallchart with all the fixtures for the 2025 English season, Adam Hollioake tells Sam Dalling why he couldn’t resist his new role at Kent, Graham Onions reflects on his wicket-laden career, and we unpick England’s miserable Women’s Ashes series in Australia.

As for our columnists, Lawrence Booth analyses the eye-popping Hundred auction, Andrew Miller says the SA20 has been an unexpected winter highlight, and guest writer Nathan Johns sets out his vision for a more inclusive World Test Championship.

You can buy the magazine in stores across the UK (click here to find your nearest stockist) or purchase a subscription here.

Wisden Cricket Monthly is also available in digital form. You can purchase single issues or sign up for a subscription here.

10 standout quotes from the new issue:

"He set the bar so high that most openers struggle to reach it, but almost all aspire to it. Sehwag, the ultimate disruptor, lived by a simple philosophy: score fast and break things."
In our countdown of the 100 hundreds that changed the game, Rob Smyth picks out a knock from India's swashbuckling opener

"This was the innings: the perfect projection of what women’s batting could look like, the ceilings it could smash, the thrills it could offer, the jawdropping wristwork, the extraordinary Trumper-like backlift, the mad, inexplicable timing, the sheer balls of it all."
Phil Walker on a perception-shifting World Cup innings from India's Harmanpreet Kaur

"There will be bumps on the road, and the money must be spent wisely; some critics will remain implacable. The ECB have made an eye-popping start. Now they must take the rest of the game along with them."
Lawrence Booth on the Hundred auction

"One thing I would have loved is to be seen as just another cricket player, just a young guy who simply had a passion for the game."
South Africa Test captain Temba Bavuma opens up to Mel Farrell

"There’s something unexpectedly noble about how Cricket South Africa has corralled its market, and set its course for a self-perpetuating future, rather than wait for the weeds of the world game to grow tall and strangle it."
Andrew Miller on the feel-good factor of the SA20

"I feel like I’ll probably coach very similarly to how I captained. I was a strong captain who had a lot to say. I think that’s set me up well as a coach."
Adam Hollioake on his new role at Kent

"Fundamentally, a two-tier structure must come with a guarantee of inter-division games. Not for league points, but to drive some TV money to where it is most needed."
Irish writer Nathan Johns sets out his vision for a more inclusive World Test Championship

"For the first time in my career I was able to work on things while being fully fit and really pay attention to detail to a couple of things I wanted to improve. I personally felt there was more to my bowling than just bowling short and trying to make something happen."
Brydon Carse on expanding his skills during his ban

"Injecting myself every day made me feel weird, pretty lethargic, and I didn’t want to be physically exerting myself… I’m pretty impatient in terms of wanting to hit the ground running but all the advice I was getting was that it’s a good thing not to be rushing because it could have some very detrimental effects."
Nat Sciver-Brunt speaks to Katya Witney about the process of freezing her eggs in a feature on the challenges of juggling motherhood with being a professional cricketer

"I vividly remember answering a call from Geoff Miller. It was the first time I was really excited to pick up the phone because I genuinely thought I was going to get picked. When he said to me, 'Unfortunately you’ve not been picked', I thought he must have got it wrong."
Graham Onions recalls his shock at missing out on the 2013/14 Ashes tour

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