Book review 'Wisden cricketer's almanack 2016': Wisden maintains its set standards
Arguably, no other sport has such fine literature devoted to it as the great game of cricket. The sport would have no soul if there was no such literature devoted to it with writers blessed with great skills and love for the game weaving visuals for the blessed reader with their words.
It’s a pity some of those greats no longer live on this earth yet are alive with their works they left behind for us; little realising the effects it would have on our minds.
The primrose cover of the thick book published annually is the sole reminder of the same. Wisden Cricketer’s Almanack 2016 does not disappoint as it never has but reaffirms its position as an institution. Or movement as one could term it. The standards set then are still maintained, the expected unalloyed joy satiated.
Nothing dampens the excitement of on receipt to gaze lovingly at the cover and then move on quickly to A Taste of Wisden 2016 in the delightful list of contributors ranging from cricketers to writers of repute from across the globe.
The preface capturing the spirit of the edition by the Editor - Lawrence Booth with “As recently as 2003 Wisden would pull up the drawbridge at the end of the English summer. Anything that happened after the county champions were crowned in September did not appear in print until 18 months later which gave England fans enough time to come to terms with their team’s latest overseas disaster, before they finally got to read about it.
The contents page for the eyes to quickly scan and register the entrants to the pantheon this year; the Five Cricketers of the Year and the other features, besides the standard type-setter’s section of cricket tours and their details, World Cup, Women’s Cricket,details of cricket in each country finally with the section which makes Wisden the authority on the game -Records and Registers. Even today “It is mentioned in Wisden” brooks no argument! ]
The standout features are ‘Five Days at the Ashes by Patrick Collins on the return of crowds to Test cricket venues, The British-Asian Question by Andrew Millerand Scyld Berry’s Stuart Broad takes 8 for 15.
This year marked the demise of one the finest cricketers ever and probably the best television commentator, Richie Benaud.
Gideon Haigh does yeoman justice to this magnificent Aussie all-rounder in the Sound of Silence with the painstaking efforts Benaud took to become a natural commentator — of his having trained with BBC sports commentators early in his commentating career to learn and practice “Silence can be your greatest weapon” with “speak only if you can add to the picture” which he used to devastating effect not only in the commentary box but at work in the office too. Add to that John Woodcock’s tribute to get to know Benaud in person.
The 1st cricket World Cup was not played in 1975 but in 1966 whe England won the Jules Rimet Football World Cup s also the Rothmans World Cup. Yet to clear the air Philip Barker adds the 1st Women’s official World Cup took place in 1973!
Kumar Sangakkara and Shivnaraine Chanderpaul’s influence on the game is detailed after their retirement.
A History of Celebrations – Champagne Moments by John Crace is worthy to know how and when cricketers started celebrating on a wicket taken or a personal landmark . In short when cricket became football losing its sheen of a gentleman’s game.
Deaths in Cricket a detailed account of deaths on a cricket field by Andy Bull makes me respect Sunil Gavaskar more on how he faced the world’s fastest bowlers on uncovered wickets without a helmet. It proves how many times SMG could have been felled as also reinforcing his self-belief and confidence.
Wisden’s photo gallery precedes the 5 cricketers of the year - Johny Bairstow, Brendon McCullum, Steve Smith, Ben Stokes and Kane Williamson. Fast and Unflinching on Frank Tyson and Brian Close has this telling quote of Bradman admitting “Tyson was the fastest he faced and not Larwood” contrary to popular belief!
Mike Atherton dwells on Retirement — If not now when reflecting in it with the great quote “Quit when they ask why and not why not ?” What would Wisden be without those poignant obituaries and books recommended?
