The arrival of Wisden Cricketers' Almanack each spring is more than just a publication event—it's a ritual that marks the rhythm of the cricket calendar as reliably as the first County Championship match of the season. The 2025 edition, Lawrence Booth's fourteenth as editor, continues the almanack's 161-year legacy of chronicling cricket's evolving narrative with both reverence for tradition and sharp contemporary insight.
Available in three formats—a practical softcover edition, the iconic standard hardback, and an elegant large-format hardback edition—the almanack caters to various preferences while maintaining its distinctive yellow jacket across all versions. The large-format edition particularly appeals to those who appreciate the statistical tables and scorecards in a more readable size, while the softcover offers a more portable option for regular reference.
This year's edition arrives at a fascinating juncture for cricket. Booth's editorial notes provide characteristic clarity as the sport grapples with the expanding influence of T20 leagues and the delicate balance between formats. His analysis of cricket's commercial transformation and its impact on the traditional game offers the kind of perspective that has made Wisden indispensable since 1864.
The Five Cricketers of the Year—cricket's oldest and most prestigious individual honour—reflects Wisden's unique ability to recognise excellence while avoiding recency bias. The selections, as always, tell the story of the year through individual achievements, though tradition prevents me from revealing the names before publication.
What sets the 2025 edition apart is its remarkable collection of writers. Gideon Haigh's deep historical insights, Rob Smyth's vivid match reporting, and Osman Samiuddin's nuanced analysis of cricket's geopolitical dimensions showcase cricket writing at its finest. Raf Nicholson's coverage of the women's game continues to elevate this crucial aspect of cricket's landscape, while Dileep Premachandran's perspective on the subcontinent's cricket dynamics proves particularly valuable as India's influence on the sport grows.
The almanack's statistical section remains its backbone. Every Test match is documented with meticulous detail, but it's the unexpected gems—hidden in footnotes and asides—that bring the most joy. These statistical curiosities, from unlikely batting partnerships to obscure bowling records, remind us why Wisden has earned its nickname as cricket's "bible".
This year's obituaries section, though sombre, serves as a powerful reminder of cricket's continuous narrative. Each tribute reads like a carefully crafted short story, celebrating lives devoted to the game at all levels, from village greens to Test arenas.
The book's traditional yellow hardcover houses over 1,500 pages of cricket wisdom, but its true value lies in how it weaves together the game's past, present, and future. In an era of instant digital gratification, there's something profound about this annual tome that demands to be savoured slowly, preferably with a cup of tea at hand.
Mike Atherton's observation in The Times is accurate—the almanack's three-part structure of commentary, record, and minutiae creates a comprehensive cricket ecosystem between two covers. The 2025 edition particularly excels in its analysis of cricket's commercial evolution, with thoughtful pieces on the sustainability of various formats and the sport's shifting power dynamics.
Some might argue that such a comprehensive annual publication is anachronistic in our digital age. Yet, Wisden's enduring appeal lies precisely in its commitment to thoughtful, long-form cricket journalism and its role as the sport's permanent record. In an era of hot takes and viral moments, its measured approach feels not just relevant but essential.
The 2025 Wisden Cricketers' Almanack does what all great sporting literature should—it transcends the boundary between sport and cultural commentary. For cricket enthusiasts, it's an essential purchase. For everyone else, it's a masterclass in how to document a sport's ongoing story while honouring its rich heritage.
Andrew Baker's assertion in The Daily Telegraph that this is "obviously" the cricket book of the year almost understates the case. Wisden isn't just the cricket book of the year—it's a continuing chronicle of cricket's soul, and the 2025 edition maintains its impeccable standards.
ROYAL MAIL TRACKED 24 Delivered to You Last Week, April 2025 Publisher: Visit Wisden (UK)
Published: April 24, 2025Price: £60.00 (*softcover edition*)Paperback: 1584 pagesISBN-10: 1399421298ISBN-13: 978-1399421294Dimensions: 158 x 101 (mm)OTHER FORMATS
*Standard hardback edition*
*Large-format hardback edition*
