The latest issue of Wisden Cricket Monthly, out August 11, previews England’s Test series against South Africa, including an exclusive interview with Proteas skipper Dean Elgar and analysis from former Australia captain Mark Taylor on how Ben Stokes is attempting to redefine captaincy.

We also offer our series predictions, a first-hand account of Atherton and Donald’s epic duel, and Jo Harman revisits the classic 2003 showdown between the sides, when Nasser Hussain stepped aside for Michael Vaughan and the hosts took a famous smash-and-grab victory at The Oval.

Elsewhere, Nat Sciver, England’s accidental icon, tells Phil Walker she’s found her voice, Adam Collins gives his dispatch from the frontline of Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka, Alex Tudor picks out the defining moments from his eventful career, and Yas Rana unpicks the racism crisis engulfing Scottish cricket.

In County Files, we speak to Keaton Jennings, James Vince and Sam Northeast among others, and analyse how the Championship title race is shaping up.

As for our columnists, Andrew Miller delivers a mea culpa for coining the term Bazball, Lawrence Booth reflects on Stokes’ ODI retirement and what it means for the format, Mark Ramprakash explores the mysteries of form, the South African writer Neil Manthorp outlines how his country’s priorities are shifting, and Andy Zaltzman leaves no stone unturned in his examination of the number 27.