In the new issue of Wisden Cricket Monthly, out July 11, we mark England’s Test series against West Indies by celebrating the titanic rivalry between the two sides.
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We look forward to this summer’s contest by speaking to Jamie Smith, England’s exciting new keeper-bat, and Jayden Seales, the Windies’ returning fast-bowling sensation, and hear from Andre Coley, the visitors’ head coach, about the new generation of batting talent and Phil Walker about the hosts’ new quicks.
There’s also a nod to past battles, with Daniel Norcross taking us back to the famous ‘Blackwash’ series of 1984 and the one and only Brian Lara remembering the day he broke Sobers’ record for the highest Test score.
Elsewhere, Eoin Morgan tells Mel Farrell that England should keep faith in Jos Buttler and Matthew Mott despite an underwhelming T20 World Cup campaign, Lawrence Booth considers where it went wrong for Buttler’s side, and Andrew Miller reflects on what India’s triumph means for the wider game.
There’s news from all 18 counties in ’The County Files’, columnist Mark Ramprakash argues the Blast is suffering from years of neglect, and Rob Smyth dives deep into the CricViz database to pick out some cricketers who had unexpectedly brilliant Test records against the world’s best.
We also hear from John Morris about the Tiger Moth episode which changed his life, Dominic Cork recalls the defining moments of his career, Oliver Price looks back on Ted Dexter’s ill-fated attempt to become a Tory MP, and Scott Oliver examines why the price of cricket bats has soared. And finally, in a new series looking at how the game is tackling the climate crisis, Jo Harman examines the steps being taken at Lord’s.
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:
"Pre-2022, I was pretty tentative at the crease... it probably held me back a little bit. The messaging that has come back to me since I went on the Lions trip to Sri Lanka was really positive, and the way I looked to play was a lot more dominant. Suddenly, that opened my eyes, and took me away from worrying about getting out."
Jamie Smith, England's new Test keeper, tells Jo Harman that Bazball inspired him to unlock new areas of his game
"I mentioned to my dad once that I would bowl off-spin, and he said, 'The minute you bowl off-spin is the minute I’ll deal with you'. He said, 'You have all the attributes to be a fast bowler. The entire family did it, you’re going to do it too'."
West Indies seamer Jayden Seales on his fast-bowling destiny
"I was walking off for the last time at The Oval and I remember feeling relieved. Not because the series had ended, but because the series had ended without me being injured. I just remember thinking, ‘I'm still here. I'm still all right’.”
Graeme Fowler, who opened the batting in the Blackwash series of 1984, tells Daniel Norcross he was grateful to survive it
"It feels like the Blast is being set up to fail and it would seem there are people at the ECB who would be quite happy to see it wither away, which is a great shame."
Mark Ramprakash says the Blast is suffering from neglect
"Those who still value the international game should be glad that the world’s most powerful team has finally broken its decade-long trophy drought, because the ramifications of another failure might not have been healthy for the sport."
Andrew Miller on India's triumph at the Men's T20 World Cup
"For me, Mott and Buttler stay in their positions, particularly when I don’t see any obvious replacements. Giving them more time to get better and grow is the decision that should be made."
Eoin Morgan says England's white-ball leadership duo should keep their jobs despite a disappointing World Cup
"I feel that the role of the national governing body is to enable opportunity – pure and simple. But time and time again we tend to focus on infrastructure that’s already there. Somewhere like Bristol presents such an opportunity for the game."
Will Brown reflects on his major frustration during his decade as Gloucestershire's chief executive
"Dexter bemused local steelworkers and dockers by telling them that they should send their sons to Eton. In one speech he even reportedly said that Labour-voting households would often have 'grubby lace curtains and unwashed milk bottles on the doorstep’.”
Oliver Price recalls England captain Ted Dexter standing for Parliament in the 1964 General Election
"Junior Murray and Carl Hooper were the next two and they were plumb lbw. I almost split my trousers appealing!”
Dominic Cork looks back at his hat-trick at Old Trafford in 1995
"I never thought anything of it. I was just having a bit of fun. That night I’m hauled up to face the management. I got in the lift afterwards and Goochy said, 'You’ve stuffed up a bit here', and that’s when the reality settled in. It took them a week to decide what to do. They were talking about sending us home at one point.”
John Morris on the infamous Tiger Moth incident on England’s 1990/91 Ashes tour
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