Wisden Cricketers' Almanack 2020
By: Lawrence Booth
About This Book
The 157th edition of the most famous sports book in the world--published every year since 1864--contains some of the finest sports writing of the year and covers every first-class game in every cricket nation, making it the cricketers' bible worldwide. 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--from the likes of Lawrence Booth, Gideon Haigh, Rob Smyth, Patrick Collins, Simon Wilde, Osman Samiuddin, Tony Cozier, Benj Moorehead, Raf Nicholson and Dileep Premachandran--it includes the eagerly awaited Notes by the Editor, the Cricketers of the Year awards, and the famous obituaries. As always, it contains coverage of every first-class game in every cricket nation, and reports and scorecards for all Tests and ODIs, together with trenchant opinion, compelling features and comprehensive records. This year's edition--the 157th, Wisden 2020--is truly a “must-have” for every cricket fan. "There can't really be any doubt about the cricket book of the year, any year: it's obviously Wisden" Andrew Baker in the Daily Telegraph @WisdenAlmanack
AI Overview
Comprehensive Overview of "Wisden Cricketers' Almanack 2020" by Lawrence Booth
Key Themes:
- Celebration of Cricket Achievements: The book celebrates the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, where England's men's team won the tournament, marking a significant moment in cricket history.
- Comprehensive Coverage: It provides detailed coverage of various cricket events, including the Ashes series and notable matches like the Stokes Headingley miracle.
- Statistical and Historical Content: The book is renowned for its meticulous gathering and presentation of cricket statistics, scorecards, and historical records.
- Tribute to Cricket Legends: It includes tributes to cricket legends, such as Bob Willis, who passed away in December 2019.
Plot Summary: The 157th edition of Wisden Cricketers' Almanack is a comprehensive annual publication that covers the entire spectrum of cricket in 2019. It includes detailed match reports, statistical analyses, and historical insights. The book relives the climax of the World Cup through the eyes of England's players, detailing their journey to victory. It also covers the topsy-turvy Ashes series and other significant events in the cricket world.
Critical Reception:
Vic Marks, The Guardian: "Wisden 2020 provides unparalleled coverage of an extraordinary year of cricket. The 157th edition of Wisden celebrates the World Cup triumph of England's men."
John Crace, The Guardian: "The new Wisden is always a sure sign of the start of summer. Though what kind of summer it will be is still in the lap of the coronavirus."
Jim Holden, Sunday Express: "Wisden was published on a hot sunny day last week, and it will be a pleasure to treasure while the sporting world remains in hibernation. There are 1,500 pages between the daffodil yellow covers, but never has the size felt less daunting."
Richard Hobson, The Cricketer: "Overall, Wisden succeeds again in meeting its challenge, recording meticulously and comprehensively while finding time to breathe and reflect."
Mihir Bose, The Financial Times: "It is a book of three parts: comment; record; and delightful minutiae, which always brings the most cheer."
Mike Atherton, The Times: "The 157th edition of the game's bible is as bulky as ever: 1,536 pages squeezed between the familiar yellow covers and packed with statistics, scorecards, match reports and titbits that will reassure fans that there are some things that even Covid-19 cannot destroy."
The critical reception highlights the book's comprehensive coverage, meticulous recording, and its ability to balance detailed analysis with reflective moments, making it a treasure for cricket enthusiasts.