In the new issue of Wisden Cricket Monthly, out April 3, we bring you our comprehensive preview to the 2025 English domestic summer featuring exclusive interviews with Darren Lehmann, who has taken charge at Northants, and Chris Silverwood, who has returned to Essex, the county he led to the Championship title in 2017.
Opening up with Matt Roller’s thought-provoking piece on what the Hundred windfall means for the county game, we analyse how each of the 18 counties are shaping up ahead of the new campaign, pick out the moments you won’t want to miss this summer, and examine if the less-than-rapid but hugely successful seamers on the circuit can force their way into England’s Test team. And as the women’s domestic game joins the men’s county structure, Katya Witney considers how the ECB’s ‘two teams, one club’ mantra will operate.
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It’s also that time of year again when we reveal the best bats on the market in the 2025 WCM Bat Test, with the actual winning bat up for grabs for one lucky reader.
Elsewhere, we welcome back columnist Mark Ramprakash, who argues India’s Champions Trophy winners don’t get the credit they deserve, Carl Hooper tells Jo Harman how he developed his ineffable sense of style, Nathan Johns explores the deep family roots which bind Irish cricket, and Rob Smyth reveals the game’s greatest white-ball finishers.
We also have columns from Lawrence Booth, who says it’s a case of when not if Saudi Arabia launch their own T20 league, Andrew Miller, who considers the contrasting fortunes of London’s first-class counties, and Derbyshire skipper Wayne Madsen recalls leaving his first love behind to pursue a career in cricket.
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10 standout quotes from the new issue:
"Even a cash-rich conglomerate buying into cricket’s gold rush recognises the value of history and heritage. Those intangible qualities are the reasons that most of us fell in love with this sport, and the forces that led us to support or follow the teams that we do."
Matt Roller on the enduring appeal of county cricket
"If ever a situation was designed to make a club feel inadequate, it’s the optics of the county’s executives arguing over a few thousand pounds’ worth of misallocated expenses while the men who actually own the bricks and mortar discuss nine-figure sums with some of the richest tech-tycoons in the universe."
Andrew Miller on Middlesex
"Essex helped me develop as a coach and as a person, and I’m loyal to that. It’s about being proud of what you're a part of. I’m proud to be a part of Essex cricket and that’s why I’m back."
Chris Silverwood on his return to Chelmsford
"We got that wrong from all levels. That’s a good learning curve, though, for everyone. And when you have a triple bypass surgery, life’s a bit different than having to win every game. I think I had that [mentality] at the start, and I think I coached Australia too long."
Darren Lehmann on the lessons he's taken from Sandpapergate
"Despite reaching this level of excellence, there is a sense that India don’t always get the credit they deserve, particularly in the UK media. I’ve been surprised at some of the negativity towards the Indian team and Indian cricket in general."
Mark Ramprakash on the reporting of India's recent triumphs
"Cricket has always been susceptible to rich men making grand promises. And while the rich men this time may be wearing the thawb rather than a suit, the principle still applies. The ECB can deride the latest plans. But sooner or later, cricket will yield to the dollar signs."
Lawrence Booth on Saudi Arabia’s proposed T20 league
"By going all in on the pace merchants, England risk repeating the mistakes of previous Ashes tours when they became fixated on a certain profile of bowler. Whether the selectors stick rigidly to their pace policy or show enough flexibility to find a place for a Worrall or Cook will be one of the fascinating subplots of the summer."
Jo Harman on England's pace obsession
"In the purest sense of the F-word, being at the crease when the match is settled in your side’s favour, MS Dhoni stands alone in international cricket. He was not out in 62 successful run-chases for India. Only Kohli (51) has done it more than 40 times."
Rob Smyth on the game’s greatest white-ball finishers
"Standing at the non-striker’s end, I would just admire him at work. You’re dreading it – I was thinking, ‘Pull a hamstring and get off the bloody pitch!’ – but you want to see him bowl because you realise that you’re witnessing something great."
Carl Hooper on the challenge of facing Wasim Akram
"Knight, measured but strident, has a pin-sharp grasp of the issues and a knack for weighing her words to the tenor of the moment. Whether on issues of pay or professionalism or the ongoing fight for equal opportunities, she has navigated the choppiest of waters with great agility. Whoever does take over will need her close by."
Phil Walker on Heather Knight's departure as England captain
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