Wisden Cricketers' Almanack 2025
By: Lawrence Booth
About This Book
*Large-format hardback edition* The most famous sports book in the world, Wisden Cricketers' Almanack has been published every year since 1864. Home to some of the finest sports writing of the year, in this edition: Gideon Haigh reflects on the latest Australia v India series, Scyld Berry pays tribute to James Anderson, following his retirement, and Derek Underwood and Graham Thorpe are remembered by Mike Brearley and Alec Stewart - their former Test captains and friends. Wisden also considers cricket's deepening reliance on artificial intelligence, and whether the game can ever thrive in the USA. As usual, Wisden includes the thought-provoking Notes by the Editor, the Cricketers of the Year awards, and the authoritative obituaries. There are reports and scorecards for every Test, together with forthright opinion, compelling features and comprehensive records. "There can't really be any doubt about the cricket book of the year, any year: it's obviously Wisden." Andrew Baker, The Daily Telegraph @WisdenAlmanack
AI Overview
The "Wisden Cricketers' Almanack 2025" is the 162nd edition of the renowned annual publication dedicated to cricket. Here is a comprehensive overview of the book:
Key Themes and Content
Historical Significance: The Wisden Cricketers' Almanack has been published annually since 1864, making it the most famous sports book in the world. It is a treasured institution in the cricketing community, offering a rich tapestry of cricket history, analysis, and records.
Editorial Team: The 2025 edition is edited by Lawrence Booth, a well-respected cricket journalist. The book features contributions from a variety of renowned cricket writers, including Gideon Haigh, Rob Smyth, Patrick Collins, Simon Wilde, Osman Samiuddin, Tony Cozier, Benj Moorehead, Raf Nicholson, and Dileep Premachandran.
Structure: The book is divided into three main parts:
- Comment: Includes Wisden Honours, Notes by the Editor, Five Cricketers of the Year, Wisden Trophy, Wisden Writing Competition, and Photograph of the Year.
- The Wisden Review: Comprehensive reviews of the cricket season, including reports and scorecards for every Test match.
- Delightful Minutiae: A section filled with quirky details and great analysis of the game, which always brings cheer to readers.
Features and Awards:
- Cricketers of the Year: An annual award recognizing outstanding performances in cricket.
- Obituaries: Authoritative obituaries of notable cricketers who have passed away.
- Scorecards and Reports: Detailed reports and scorecards for every Test match played during the year.
Critical Reception
The Wisden Cricketers' Almanack is widely regarded as the definitive annual publication for cricket enthusiasts. Here are some critical remarks:
- Mike Atherton, The Times: Describes the publication of Wisden as "cricket's equivalent of the state opening of Parliament," highlighting its importance in the cricketing world.
- Oborne and Heller on Cricket podcast: Praises the book for its wealth of information, quirks, and great analysis of the game.
- Alison Mitchell, BBC World Service Stumped: Calls it "the big yellow book. The important one. The one aliens will be reading in hundreds of years' time when we as a species have wiped ourselves out and they've come down to work out how cricket worked".
- The Final Word podcast: Describes it as a must-read for any cricket fan, emphasizing its comprehensive coverage and historical significance.
Availability
The book is available in both hardback and paperback formats. The hardback edition is set to be released on July 15, 2025, while the paperback edition is available for pre-order and will ship when available.
Pricing
The paperback edition is priced at $85.00, while the hardback edition is priced at $165.25.
In summary, the "Wisden Cricketers' Almanack 2025" is a meticulously crafted annual publication that offers a wealth of information, analysis, and historical context to cricket enthusiasts. Its comprehensive structure, authoritative content, and critical acclaim make it a must-have for anyone interested in the sport.