The 153rd edition of Wisden reflects on the transformations, both on and off the field, that made the England team "the most uplifting story in international cricket", in the words of editor Lawrence Booth. Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow were named among the Five Cricketers of the Year, as were two New Zealanders: Brendon McCullum, whose thrilling leadership style helped to bring out the best in both teams in a memorable Test and ODI series, and Kane Williamson, who was also named as the Leading Cricketer in the World. Steve Smith completed the set, after two matchwinning hundreds in Australia's 3-2 Ashes defeat. The tale of that series was revisited by Patrick Collins, camped in the stands for the first day of each of the five Tests, including the unforgettable first morning at Trent Bridge when Stuart Broad claimed 8 for 15 and Australia were bowled out for 60. Broad himself relives that spell in conversation with Scyld Berry. Elsewhere, Gideon Haigh and John Woodcock pay tribute to Richie Benaud, who died last year; Nagraj Gollapudi relives Pranav Dhanawade's world-record 1009 not out in Mumbai, while the saga of Chris Cairns' match-fixing trial is told by Jared Savage, the only reporter to attend every day of the eight-week trial at Southwark Crown Court.
Editor Lawrence Booth
Pages 1552
Price £50